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J^rom the ptage Coach
TO THE PULPIT.
From the Stage Coach
TO
THE PULPIT,
BEINQ AN AUTO-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, WITH INCIDENTS
AND ANECDOTES, OF
S'
y
ELDER HkTK. STIMSON,
THE VETERAN PIONEER OF WESTERN NEW YORK,
NOW OF KANSAS.
EDITED BY REV. T. Wj GREENE,
OF KANSAS.
>/
//^',/ >:,-'
SAINT LOUIS : ^^y
E. A. CAMPBELL, PUBLISHEE,
S. E. Cor. Fifth and Olive Sts.
1874.
/y7t
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1874, by
H. K. STIMSON,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
ST. LOUIS, MO.,
BARNS & BEYNON,
Printers and Stereotypers,
215 Pine Street.
CONTENTS.
PAQB.
Author's Preface, - ... - 9
Editor's Preface, ----- 10
Introduction, ----- 11
Poetry, -------14
CHAPTER I.
Birth. — ^Boyhood, ----- 17
CHAPTER H.
Running away from Home. — Stage Driving and Stage
Drivers, - - - - - - 27
CHAPTER HI.
Returning Home.— First Interview with my Father, 40
CHAPTER ly.
Courtship and Marriage. — Early Married Life, 64
CHAPTER V.
A Turning Point. — ^Victory over Whisky.— ^A Shoot-
ing Match, Etc., - - - - 66
CHAPTER VI.
A Search for a Church, - - - - 86
CHAPTER Vn.
The Church Found, - - . . 92
CHAPTER Vm.
A Year of Jubilee, ----- 98
6 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTEE IX.
Shalt. I Pbeach? — First Pastorate, - - 106
CHAPTER X.
Leaving Alabama. — Parma, - - - - 133
CHAPTER XI.
A Trial of Open Communion, - - - 162
CHAPTER Xn.
An Old Sore. — Second Widowhood, - - 168
CHAPTER Xm.
Evangelizing. — ^Pastorate at Warsaw, - 174
CHAPTER XIV.
Wheatland, ------ 188
CHAPTER XV.
Adrlin, -----. 203
CHAPTER XVI.
Penn Yan, - - - - - 212
CHAPTER XVn.
Marion, ------ 227
CHAPTER XVm.
Racine, ------- 236
CHAPTER XIX.
Re-Settlement at Warsaw, - - . 240
CHAPTER XX.
La Grange. — The War, - - - - 242
CHAPTER XXI.
Ho for Kansas, ----- 279
CONTENTS. •
CHAPTER XXn.
A Kansas Field, - - - • - 287
CHAPTER XXm.
Closing the War in Missouri, - - - 295
CHAPTER XXIV.
"Ottawa University" and Leavenworth, - 308
CHAPTER XXV.
The Baptist Tabernacle, - - ■ 322
CHAPTER XXVI.
KiNDERHOOK. — "Wheatland, - - - - 829
CHAPTER XXVn.
Burlington, Kansas, - - - « 335
CHAPTER XXVm.
Old Memories, ----- 341
CHAPTER XXIX.
Elder Weaver, - - , - - 348
CHAPTER XXX.
Reflections. — Home Again, - - - • 8d3
CHAPTER XXXI.
MlSCELLANT, ------ 864
CHAPTER XXXn.
Sermons, ------- 388
CHAPTER XXXHI.
A Night with the Rackensacks and Pukes, - 416
CONCLUSION. ,
Personal Sk^etch by the Editor, - - 424
THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
In pkesenting this volume to the Christian Public and
"the rest of mankind," I know that I am liable to severe
criticism, to which I do not object if it is made in kind-
ness. Such has always done me good.
I have had a maxim through life, I once invented in self-
defense, that a man that can't spell a word but one way, is
a literary fool. For the practical illustration my manuscript
affords that I am not a fool in this sense, if it appears on the
printed page, you can blame the editor. Key. T. W. Greene.
I make no claim to originality, except in memory. This
I have endeavored to use to the best advantage in applying
other men's thoughts and principles. I believe in the largest
liberty to all men in advocating their views and sentiments,
if not dogmatic and superstitious. I advocate a liberal edu-
cation, a liberal contribution to all benevolent institutions,
and large donations to ministers.
I have no great enemies, except the devil. All others are
of small calibre and not worth a notice. I love all mankind,
and good horses. For the rest of the world I care but little,
as I am nearly through it.
I wish you to buy the book, pay for it and read it. Then
you will have a consciousness of two things : first, you own a
book and are independent. Second, you are helping an old
man and woman to a little support in the evening of life.
May God bless you.
H. K. S.
Burlington, Kansas, 1874.
THE EDITOR'S PREFACE,
I BELIEVE in preaching and like to preach. I also believe
in writing and like to write, especially when helping to
increase the acquaintance of the world with so genuine a
man, and one so wide-awake for Christ, evenin the even-
ing years of life, as Father Stimson.
I have enjoyed the work of preparing the manuscript of
this book for the press. As Dr. Bushnell would say, it
has been play for me. It was nearly done before I knew it.
Only a few weeks of an exceedingly hot season have been
spent by Father Stiihson in preparing the pencil notes good
and ample, and by myself in making them comply with the
exactions of the printer, and a little more fully represent the
Autiior ; and that, too, in the midst of uninterrupted pastoral
work on the part of both.
My only wish is that the book may be read by many
dming his life here and after he has entered on the better
life, and with the same relish with which the labor of pre-
paring it has been accomplished. Then I shall be sure it
will do more good than we both could have done in the
same time in any other way.
T. W. G.
Junction City, Kansas.
INTEODUCTION.
It was in the winter of 1843, I first saw Kev. H. K.
Stimson. It was in mv native town in Western New York,
and at an age when my mind was very easily impressed by
the presence of men of mark. The occasion was the meeting
of an Ecclesiastical Council, which excited great interest in
that community. Mr. Stimson was a delegate from a
neighboring church. He was then a young man, full of
point, soul and magnetism, which years have not lessened.
Because of his brilliancy, piquancy and quaintness, all eyes
admiringly centered upon him when he spoke. To my
youthful mind, he was the chief attraction of the Council.
I have ever remembered him as I saw and heard him there.
He then told a certain story, with such inimitable skill and
dramatic power — a story having a patness and application
so hitting and ludicrous — that I can never forget it or its
author. Who might this curious and strangely potent man
be? I wondered. It came out that he was a converted stage-
driver, of Irish descent, and the wittiest minister in the
Genesee country.
From that day to this I have known H. K. Stimson, and
jfrom the time I went into the ministry he has known me, I
think ; and if he has not loved me, I have had the sweet
retaliation of loving him. For more than thirty years in
Western New York, he held a prominent place as a preacher
and pastor. No man in that region stood higher as a
12 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
faithful, able and useful ininister of the Gospel than he.
This is saying much, for he was associated with such
men as.Elon Galusha, Elisha Tucker, Pharcellus Church,
James Keed, Ichabod Clark, William Arthur, Charles
Van Loon, Daniel Eldridge, the Elliots, Harrison Daniels and
"Walter Brooks. In the learning of the schools, Mr.
Stimson never professed to be a proficient, but the
Gospel and men he knows by heart. Wit, tact, knowledge
of human nature and ready ability to use current events,
superadded to a great and good heart, and to a naturally
strong and withy intellect, all consecrated to God, have
made him a most popular, devoted and efficient minister
of Christ for forty-five years.
His auto-biography is a book over which readers will
both laugh and cry. No person who has ever known this
remarkable man will fail to be interested in the work, and in
it thousands of others, in all Christian denominations, will
find entertainment and profit. In wit and drollery, this
book is keener than the works of professional humorists, in
its serious portions and theological utterances, it is as sound
as Jonathan Edwards; and in its touching passages and
pictures, it is as tender as anything which Pay son or
McChene ever wrote.
As the subject of this taking volume is a welcome guest
in all denominations and circles, because he is a Christian, a
gentleman, a genial companion, a helpfal minister and a
man of the soundest common sense, so his auto-biography
will be welcomed by all classes, professions and ages.
The book is the man in portraiture, and this is its highest
commendation. Mr. Stimson is now well on in life, but is
INTRODUCTION. 13
as vivacious, as social, as generous and as companionable
as ever; and the book is just like Mm. When he leaves
your house, wife, husband and all the children say, " come
again." A book picturilig such a character and life as his,
so full of telling incidents, of rich personal liistory, of hits,
of genius, of talent, of eloquence, of pathos, of piety, of
good sense, must be remarkable, a priori. Upon examina-
tion, the work proves itself the satisfactory fulfillment of the
prophecy which such a character utters.
The Editor, Kev. Mr. Greene, his neighbor in Kansas,
where Mr. Stimson has lived for the last few years, has done
his work so well, as to richly deserve the thanks of the
thousands the land over who know and love the '^ Converted
Stage-Driver," and who pray that the evening of his life may
be as sunny as its noon ; and that, as from the stage coach
Christ transferred him to the pulpit, so from the pulpit,
though not for many years. He may transfer him to Himself
in glory, not only to be forever with his Lord, but with the
great multitude brought to Jesus by his labors.
A. H. BURLINGHAM.
St. Louis, January, 1874.
FAEEWELL TO THE COACH.
Farewell to the Coach that has carried us long
Through sunshine and storm with wheels rolling fast;
A kindly farewell in a brief, simple song,
And a smile and a tear for its far away past.
A smile for the memories pleasant and pure,
A tear for whatever unhallowed was there;
Let the first with all that is precious endure,
And the last be forgotten in praise and in prayer.
How strong was your frame and capacious each seat,
Old Coach, as you rolled on your track every day;
And how many good friends we then used to greet,
As they climbed into you, and we sped on our way.
How waited and watched for then was our load!
How welcome the letters we bore up and downl
How gaily our horses stepped out on the road.
Or dashed up the street full speed into town!
Now better enjoyment we thankfully find,
For our last whip and bottle were cracked long ago;
Though to crack a good joke we still feel inclined,
And we bear other news as we go to and fro.
Good tidings, great blessings we gladly proclaim,
Christ's life and His death, the epistles of Paul;
To those who will weep o'er His sorrow and shame,
And rejoice in the news that can ransom us all.
We still hope to carry full many a soul
From evil to good, from sin to salvation;
For the chariot wheels of the Gospel must roll
Until the grand story is told to each nation.
CHAPTEE I.
BIRTH AND BOYHOOD.
I WAS born — so I have been told — at Saratoga
Springs, October 11th, 1804. My parents were
of Irish extraction, having descended from an ancient
stock in the North of Ii*eland. All I know of their
religious opinions is that they were of Presbyterian
proclivities, and, like most other adherents of the
Scotch "Kirk," strongly prejudiced against all other
denominations, especially Roman Catholics, and no
less, the Baptists. This prejudice my father never
overcame. My mother finally became more tolerant,
but it was not until the Baptists had become quite
numerous in Western New York that any of my fam-
ily were immersed.
My father, who was a draper and tailor at Saratoga
Springs, moved from there to what was then called
the "Genesee Country," in the winter of 1811-12.
Our family at this time consisted of my parents and
their three children, I being seven years of age and the
oldest of my mother's children. At this time nearly
all west of Canandaigua was one vast wilderness, and
18 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
I well remember the contrast between our pleasant
home at the Springs and the rude log hut in the dense
forest in the "town" of Mendon. With the excep-
tion of an occasional visit to my uncle John Stimson,
who lived four miles distant, I was constantly in the
house Avith my mother, or with my father in the
woods where he was '* clearing." To one thus situ-
ated, any event which would enable him to see a com-
pany of men gathered together, was indeed hailed
with joy. Such an event was the first town meet-
ing of the ''town" of Mendon, held at Deacon Eli
Ewer's in the spring of 1812. During the pre-
vious winter the ' ' town " of Bloomfield had been di-
vided into four ''towns," one of which was Mendon.
It was therefore necessary to have a ' ' town meeting "
there, which was called at the house of Eli Ewer, a
deacon of the Presbyterian Church. I remember
feeling quite elated when I started with my father to
attend the meeting. I anticipated a good time, and
it seemed as though all there determined that my an-
ticipations should be fulfilled. The deacon had the
day previous obtained a license to keep a public
house, and had laid in a good supply of rye whisky.
He also served up to his guests a dinner consisting
of baked pork and beans ; a dish that may have been
BIRTH AND BOYHOOD. 19
heard of still further east. Although a plam repast,
and iieedmg but little table furniture, his supply was
found totally inadequate to the demand. His plates
were of brown earthen-ware and wooden trenchers.
For forks there were short sticks tipped with prongs
of wire, the other part of the cutlery being supplied
with pieces of scythe points and jack-knives. Dur-
ing the dinner hour everything was in confusion and
noise, but the utmost good feeling prevailed. After
dinner, games, business and drinking occupied the
time till sundown, when the majority started for
home, many very much intoxicated; for men got
drunk even in the good old times. A few of them
were beastly drunk. The beasts will please excuse
me. There is one consolation, however, the whisky
they drank was pure. But pure as it was, it operated
badly on the deacon's windows, doors and premises
generally. It had a very dilapidating effect upon
them. The next day Deacon Ewer gave up his li-
cense and quit the rather expensive business of sell-
ing whisky.
In the spring of 1814, my father moved from his
place in the woods to a public house on the road
leading from Irondequoit Bay to Lima, where he
kept tavern for the next four years. This was then
20 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
the great Western thoroughfare, Bufialo being the
"far West." While residing here there was no
school which I could attend, and I was compelled
to spend my time around the bar-room, where I was
educated to all the vice and folly attendant upon
such a place, but making no advancement in intellect
and certainly none in moral education.
In the fall of 1818,1 left home and worked at
another tavern for my board, while I attended school
for the first time since I was a child. In the spring
of this year I had my first religious impressiolis, and
well do I remember the occasion. A young com-
panion of mine. Napoleon B. Stickney, and myself,
attended a prayer meeting, conducted by the Eev.
John Taylor, of the Congregational Church,
and "Deacon EH Lyon, of the Baptist Church.
Stickney and myself, both vain and wicked youths,
had gone there out of mere curiosity. During the
evening. Deacon L3'on gave a short but very im-
pressive history of his experience and conversion,
which, for the time, made a deep impression on my
mind. Stickney was also much afiected, and, on
our way home, he said to me, " Hiram, I am a great
sinner, and I feel as though it was my duty to quit
the evil practices of Sabbath breaking, profane
BIRTH AND BOYHOOD. 21
swearing and card playing." I at once told him of
my own convictions, of my guilt as a sinner, and
invited " Boney," as we called him, to stay with me
at the tavern that night. He accepted my invitation,
and we started for my room. The family had all
retired, and the house was still when we reached it.
We sat down in the bar-room where we had so often
joked and made merry, but this time to talk over
our deplorable condition as sinning against our God
and Saviour. We had talked but a short time when
" Boney" said, " Hiram, you go and get the Bible
and we will read it." I stolS away into the room
where I knew the Bible was kept, a useless book to
all the family. I brought it and gave it to " Boney."
He opened at the lifty-fifth chapter of Isaiah, and
commenced reading. When he closed the book he
looked at me with a strange stare and said, " Hiram,
pray." And there we both knelt on the floor of the
dirty bar-room, filled with the fumes of w^hisky and
the odor of burnt tobacco, and prayed in broken
sentences and homely expressions, but with earnest-
ness. What I said I know not. But after rising
we mutually promised to reform and lead a better
life. But how vain are most of our promises of
reformation. The very next Sabbath, Stickney and
22 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
I went fishing all day. Thus may be seen how little
dependence is to be placed upon resolutions of a
better life when God is not really loved, and when
our dependence upon Him is not realized and
acknowledged with that acknowledgment that comes
from renewed hearts.
From this time till I was eighteen I worked at
the tavern, going to school three months each winter,
pursuing only such branches as were then taught,
imperfectly taught, and as imperfectly received and
applied. So that when at this age the importance of
an education first impressed itself upon my mind
and I received my advancement, I found I could
only read and ^M-ite, knowing nothing or nearly
nothing of arithmetic and geography. As I thought
over these things, and as the value of an education
arose before my mental vision, I was compelled to
look about with a determination to lay hold of any
possible chance that would allow me to pursue a
course of study. But all was dark, dreary and dis-
couraging. My parents were now too poor to help
me. There were no good schools in that part of the
country that I could attend, even by '' choring" for
my board. And with no means nor any way of
obtaining them to pay my expenses away from home,
Birth and boyhood. 23
and no kind friend to extend a benevolent hand or
speak an encouraging word by way of relief, I
settled down into the belief that there is such a
thing as toiling for knowledge under difficulties, and
that there are some lighter amusements than working
one's way through school. With these facts dogging
my heels, I saAv that my hopes of obtaining an edu-
cation at that time were vain. I soon dismissed the
idea of enjoying the advantages of attending school
where I was, and as to going East to attend one,
that could only be done by the sons of the wealthy.
This, in connection with my father's somewhat
intemperate habits, led me to the conclusion that I
must make the best of my poor condition in life, and
so I set myself to the work of whiling away my
youth in ignorance and vice.
Some time previous to this my father had given up
the tavern and opened a small whisky grocery, ob-
taining his stock of one S , who kept a hotel and
store in the village of East Mendon. After continu-
ing this grocery a little time, my father found him-
self indebted to S , to the amount of eighty dol-
lars, with no way to pay it. To settle the matter,
S proposed that I should come and work it out
at his hotel. A formal contract was at once drawn
24 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
up, but I was to be kept iu ^uorauce of the fact that
I was workmg to pay for a " dead horse," or, what
was m fact much worse, for whisky long since swal-
lowed. S came to me and said, "Hi, I want
you to work for me a year tenduig bar, and now and
then driving those black horses of mine, wliich I am
fitting for market. How much do you want a month ?"
The idea of being a kind of superintendent of a small
tavern and of driving as fine a team as S 's blacks
was the height of all greatness to my mind, and we
struck a bargain at eight dollars a month. Mr.
S soon after started for New York City, leaving
me to take charge of the tavern, and a young man by
the name of Brace as clerk in his store.
My wardrobe at the time was somewhat scanty,
and as spring came on I had need of new and more
respectable clothing ; that is, my position as mixer
of whisky sling, gin cocktails and brandy smashes,
and retailer of ' ' penny grab " cigars required that I
should appear in dignified attire. I went into the
store and told Brace that I wanted cloth for a new
suit of clothes, a new hat, boots, etc. What was my
sui'prise and chagrin when he told me I was at work
to pay the old debt of my father, and he was in-
structed not to let me have anything out of the store
J
BIRTH AND BOYHOOD. 25
during Mr. S 's absence. At this I was indig-
nant and not a little enraged, and I at once said,
'* Well, then I shall leave ; you may take charge of
the hotel and the horses, for I am not the boy to
work for any old whisky debts, and go ragged while
doinof so, into the baro^ain." I was about to leave the
store in a rage when Brace, who by the way was a
good friend of mine, and in deep sympathy with me,
said, «« Well, Hiram, I will let you have what you
want on my account. I will take the responsibility
until Mr. S returns from New York, and then
you and he can settle the matter." I at once replied,
"No, I will not take a thing only on my own account
and for my own labor. If I cannot have what I want
on those conditions I will stay no longer, and as to
working out that old whisky debt, it is something I
will never do." At this decided declaration Brace
replied, "Very well, ffi, it is too bad, and I will let
you have what you want and you must settle it with
Mr. S when he returns from New York City."
Upon this condition cloth for a summer suit, cloth
for two shirts, a pair of shoes and a hat were se-
cured. The cloth for my suit I carried home that
my father might cut them out, and my mother and
sister make them. That night after going to bed my
26 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
reflections were something like the following : * ' Now,
when S gets home, we shall have a conflict
about this matter. He and my father will lay their
heads together, and compel me to work out this
eighty dollar debt at eight dollars a month — ^ten long
months. This is not right and just, I have no heart
to stay and no determination to do it."
EUNNING AWAY FROM HOME. 27
CHAPTER n.
RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME. STAGE DRIVING AND
STAGE DRIVERS.
/TVHOUGHTS like these soon induced me to form
-^ plans for leaving my home, parents, brothers and
sisters, to seek my own livelihood among strangers.
The next morning I asked my mother to make my
shirts as soon as possible as I was in very great need
of them. She and my sister were not long in finishing
them ; and as soon as they were done I tied them in
a bundle with the rest of my new made clothes and
started apparently for the tavern, but really I knew
not where. I passed out of the little village unob-
served by any one. Arriving at the road leading to
Bushnell's Basin on the Erie canal, I turned my steps
thitherward.
I did not take the main road, fearing that I might
meet some one who would detect and report me.
As I wended my lonely way among the by-roads I
had ample time for reflection, and my mind was
filled with thoughts like these: << Now, I am
28 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
taking an important step, one that will tell for good
or evil on my whole after-life. I shall have no kind
mother to look after me, no sweet sister to caress
and respect me, no familiar friend to advise and
counsel me. I am all alone, without friends or
home, and now, after all, would I not gain by return-
ing to Mendon, where I will be near my mother and
sisters, and where I will see and be with those who
are near and dear to me, even if I have to work
almost a year to cancel that old whisky bill." Then,
again, I thought: ''If I do return, I must be a
poor, despised lackey in a miserable rum hole ; I
must be an associate and companion of those belong-
ing to the lowest grades of society ; I must work
and thus spend a whole year of my life for nothing
that will do me any good ; for something that has
done no good in times past or present, and will
benefit no one in time to come."
With thoughts like these I arrived at the Basin,
and took my stand upon the bridge to await the
arrival of the next boat. I cared not much from
which way it came, whether east or west, it mattered
not to me. All I cared for was to go — somewhere,
anywhere, but back to Mendon. I longed to be
moving. I wanted to escape from the terrible dread
RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME. 29
of working out old rum bills. I hated the very
name of liquor, and despised all connected with it.
I was desperate, and growing more and more so
when a boat hove in sight, and I alighted upon its
deck, taking passage for the East at one and a half
cents a mile, board included. After a few miles'
ride the captain approached me and said, "Young
man, do you wish to get emplo^Tuent ? " I said,
" Yes, sir ;" and we soon closed a bargain, he agree-
ing to pay me ten dollars a month as a hand upon
the boat. As we neared Syracuse, our steward was
taken ill, and had to leave the boat at that place.
As we had on board a number of passengers to be
cared for, a new steward must be found. After
some talking and calculating, I was established in
that office, or, as the phrase was, I was made " chief
cook and bottle-washer." In this position I gave
general satisfaction, so much so that Capt. Warren
and his passengers began to praise me as a first-rate
bar-tender and a nmnber one cook.
After arriving at Albany and unloading om' craft
and cleaning up oirr cabins, I strolled up into the
business part of town, and calling at a hotel, met
James Herrington, an old stage driver with whom
I had been acquainted at Mendon. We were both
30 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
taken by surprise ; and, in his rough and profane
way — ^you don't want the profane part, and so I
will leave it out — ^he said : '* How come you here ? "
And then, introducing me to his companion, added :
<'Here is Hi Stimson, one of the smartest boys I
ever knew. He can cut more tricks and make more
fun than any boy I ever saw. He can sing the best
songs, dance the best hornpipes, make the best flip,
sling or punch any of his age : and that aint all, ho
is a tip-top reinsman, and can drive four or six
horses to a nit's eye. Come, let's walk up and take
a little ; the least drop in the world won't hurt you,
if you wash it down with rum." After we had
drunk, James took me one side and said : *' Hi, if
you wish me to assist you in any way, I will do it.
I think I can get you into a good berth here as a
driver, for I know you are a first rate reinsman." I
told him all my troubles ; how I came away from
Mendon, and what induced me to leave home. This
so affected him that he could not restrain his tears,
and, taking me by the hand, he said: ''Well,
Hiram, I will stand by you as long as I have a clean
shirt and a shilling left." I informed him that I had
all my wages due in the hands of Capt. Warren, and
that I would settle with him and draw what was
RUNNING AWAY FROM HOINIE. 31
coming to me, if there was a prospect of employ-
ment at higher wages. He took me to the stage
office, where he inti-oduced me to the proprietors of
the line, with whom I soon closed a bargain, they
agi'eeing to pay me sixteen dollars a month, with a
bonus of twenty-five dollars, provided I remained a
year. I then returned to the boat, settled with the
captain, and drew my balance. The captain was
sorry to have me leave, but exi3ressed himself
pleased that I had found a better paying position.
I commenced work in my new vocation as stage
driver the next morning. The route was the gi'eat
road between Albany and Schenectady. Here my
only fear was that of meeting Mr. S , who would
probably return from New York by stage. I had
laid James H. under obligations to keep my where-
abouts a secret, in case he should meet any one from
the West that knew me.
Thus passed the summer, from May till August.
Although I saw many whom I recognized, yet no
one I met knew me, until one morning, about the
first of September, as I drove up to the hotel in
Albany. Among those who came out to take stage
was one H. B., a young man of Mendon, who was
well acquainted in my father's family, and whom I
32 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
kuew to be conversant with all the facts about my
leaving home, I having met him on my way from
Mendon to Bushnell's Basin. I turned my face from
him, turned up my collar and drew my hat over my
eyes, to elude, if possible, his recognition of me.
He stood, smoking his cigar, till almost all the
others were in the stage, and then, turning to me,
he said: ** Driver, can I ride on the box with
you?" I answered, ** Yes, sir; certainly." After
we set out from the city, he continued to ask me ques-
tions about trifling matters, and I answered in the
monosyllables *'yes" and *'no," until at length I
turned my face toward him and he caught a glimpse
of my features. With a loud expression of sur-
prise, he exclaimed: *'0h! my , is this
you, Hi? Your mother has cried her eyes out for
you, and all Mendon is in wonder about what has
become of you ; but all agree that you have served
Mr. S. and your father just right. But it will lull
your mother, if she does not hear from you."
His conversation quite overcame me, and my hard
and obdurate heart 3delded to the most filial and
affectionate emotions, and I found relief in tears.
I then laid B. under secrecy, he promising to say
nothing about our meeting to any one except my
RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME. 33
mother, and only to her after she had promised not
to reveal my whereabouts to my father or to any of
my family. B. was as good as his word, for on
arriving at Mendon he called at my father's, and
taking my mother aside, and after she had promised
secrecy, told her all about our meeting and of my
whereabouts and circumstances. She immediately
sat down and wrote me the following kind and
motherly letter :
Mendon, August 27th, 1824.
My Dear Boy : I was made to rejoice yesterday
as Harry Benedict informed me that 3'ou are in
Albany. This summer has indeed been a long one
to me and your sisters, for we have been in constant
suspense concerning you, my dear absent boy.
Sally and Lucinda are not as yet in the secret of
your whereabouts, as Hariy has made me promise
not to tell that which I have heard from you. My dear
Hiram, I hope you will conduct yourself in a manner
that will be creditable to yourself and your family.
Remember you have now no mother near you to
watch over you, no kind sisters to exert a reclaiming
influence upon your wandering habits. Therefore,
you must be doubly watchful over your actions and
thoughts, that you bring not your family to shame
and bury in grief the head of your sorrowing
mother. * * * * * * *
34 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
Your father and Mr. S. have been in a rage of
madness about your conduct m leaving as you did.
Write me at Pittsford, and Harry Benedict will get
the letter for me.
Your affectionate mother,
Nancy Stimson.
I received this letter and read it with many con-
flicting emotions, and then retired to my room, there
to give vent to a flood of tears, such as only an ab-
sent and erring but affectionate son who has read his
first letter from a dear and lo^dng mother can shed.
As I sat there alone pondering upon my condition,
thinking of my mother, sisters and home, of all the
pleasant hours I had spent there, 1 almost wished I
was m the presence of my parents even at the
expense of being at work for S tending bar ; but
again the thought of that old whisky debt was too
much for me, and made me resolve not to go back
again ; and my hatred of rum and drunkenness was
stronger and tenfold deeper-seated than ever.
A call to duty in the coach-yard interrupted my
reflections, but I went about my duties feeling, as I
never had felt before, the influence, worth and con-
stancy of a mother's love for an absent son. My
friend James Herrington, who was at that time in the
RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME. 35
yard, observed my sad look and downcast expression,
and stepped up to me and said in a bantering tone,
** Well, Hi, what's the matter? Have you heard bad
news from your sweetheart ? Is she going to jilt you,
or what is the trouble ? " I begged him not to jeer
me, and taking him one side showed him my mother's
letter. He took it and perused its contents. As he
read it I could see in his large, rough face the work-
ings of the better man. As he finished reading, his
eyes filled with tears, and in a half-choked voice he
said, "God bless the old woman ! Hiram, it is a fact a
mother is about the only true friend that we poor
devils have. Your poor old mother will stand by
and comfort you when everybody else forsakes
you. That is just like a mother ; I know it from ex-
perience."
Feeling incompetent to write a proper reply to my
mother's letter, I requested James to act as my
scribe, to which request he readily consented , and in a
short time he had finished the following letter, which
I directed to my mother at Pittsford, care of Henry
Benedict, who delivered it to its proper owner :
AxBANY, Oct. 4th, 1824.
My Dear Mother : Your kind and welcome letter
came to hand last week, and I improve the present
36 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
moment in writing to you a few lines. I did not
leave Meudon because I did not love you and all the
family, my mother and my sisters particularly. I
love you as I love my own eyes and life, but to stay
there and work out an old debt contracted for whisky
for the purpose of keeping in operation a little seven
by nine grocery, the only business of which is to fin-
ish off a few miserable old drunkards that the hotels
cannot afford to do at so cheap a rate, is something I
could not do. In the second place, father and Mr.
S. deceived me by laying a plan to compel me to
work it out and to go ragged while I was at work,
thus obliging me to make a fool of myself, by being
a mere lackey for a bar-room, and a buffoon for the
devil.
I am now doing well and saving my wages, and
will send you and the girls something nice when I
get a chance. Keep it all dark about my being in
Albany or anywhere else, and believe me
Your affectionate son,
Hiram K. Stimson.
These two letters were the only communications
that passed between my mother and myself until I
returned home — a space of eight months.
After this event I continued my * ' professional "
services as stage driver and general fun-maker among
the craft until about the middle of October, at which
EUNNING AWAY FEOM HOME. 37
time I was taken ill with a severe fever, being obliged
to give up my team and keep my bed. After
two weeks' sickness the doctor informed me that I
was ««a very sick man," adding that if I had any
friends they should be advised of my condition, for
I was in some danger. Soon after he left the room,
the hotel keeper came to me and inquired concern-
ing my ability to pay for bemg taken care of. I sent
for the agent of the line to come and see me. He
and my friend James H. came in together. The
agent told Munger, the hotel keeper, that he need
give himself no trouble about the pa}^, as he would
attend to all that matter. James said he would find
a place where I could have better care than I was
then getting at ]\Iunger's. He soon made arrange-
ments for my removal to a private house, where I
received the best attention and care that could be
afibrded, considering their scanty accommodations.
And although it was not a sister's care or a mother's
nursing, yet it was all I could expect. James, and
in fact all the drivers of the " old line," as it was
called, and the wives of as many as were mamed,
were constant m their attentions to me in my sick-
ness.
And here let me correct a false impression. It is
38 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
generally supposed that stage drivers are an unfeel-
ing, worthless class of beings. It is true many of
them are exceedingly profane, and not a few are
intemperate in their habits ; but, with all their rough
and uncouth exterior, they are generous and frank
to a fault. I have known one to pull olff his over-
coat in a cold winter's day and give it to a sick
passenger inside, while, at the same time, a *' broad-
cloth gentleman " of the legal profession would not
even give the sick man the hind seat of the coach,
thus compelling him to ride on the middle seat,
rather than give up an iota of his own comfort. I
have known them to contribute their last dollar to a
poor, unfortunate fellow-driver. The steam engine
is fast monopolizing the place of the old stage coach.
The engineer is now the hero of the road, and not
the old-time stage driver. The stage coach has
considerable country to the west of us to subdue to
the empire of the engine ; but the time is coming
when the last coach will make its last run, and the
final stage driver will crack his whip and dismount
for the last time. And having been one of the craft
in the childhood of the stage coach in this country,
I want to record my testimony to the noble-hearted-
ness of the professional stage driver — a character
RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME. 39
that many young people who read this book will
never meet. They have received the cursfes of
many polite gentlemen ; they deserve the blessings
of thousands. The modern omnibus driver is not
to be put alongside of the stage driver. He is a
denizen of the city. The stage driver is a child of
nature. The omnibus driver knows streets and
avenues, and is often selfish and very vicious, con-
tracting the habits of the metropolis. The stage
driver has a few feelings for all men, especially his
comrades and needy people, and can drive his load
of precious freight from one point to another, with
no human habitation to mark the road, the darkest
night that ever was, with all the certainty of instinct.
Of course, the time is coming, also, when the
balloon pilot will take the place of the close-
mouthed, keen -eyed, steady -handed, generous-
hearted engine driver. But, as that time will not
fall within the evening of my day, I leave it to some
abler pen to record the virtues of the noble army of
engineers. But, as the stage driver, like poor
<<Lo" — ^will the former excuse the reference? — ^is
being driven from civilized society and his services
dispensed with, I want to say to the palace coach
grandee that the old historical stage driver is
worthy of a little corner in American biography.
40 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER m.
RETUENING HOME FIRST INTERVIEW WITH MY
FATHER.
HJUT I must return to my narrative. After a
JU stay of about two weeks at the house where
James H. took me, the doctor informed me I had
better take the canal boat for home, as I would be
unable to resume my place as driver during that
winter. I immediately made preparations for leav-
ing, and bade an affectionate farewell to the family
at whose hands I had received such attention and
care. Accompanied as far as the boat by my friend
James Herrington, I started for Mendon, over three
hundred miles distant, where I arrived in the stage
from Pittsford shortly after sum'ise. I was hailed
by my mother and sisters with joy and surprise —
joy at my return, to know that I was once more
among them ; with surprise at my emaciated condi-
tion, reduced as I was with a long and severe
sickness.
My father was not at home when I arrived, and
my mother was fearful- of the consequences of the
RETUENTNG HOME. 41
meeting between us. For she knew Mr. S. had done
all in his power to enrage my father against me for
leaving him in the manner I did. I sent for Jere-
miah S. Stone, an old friend of mine from boyhood,
who kept a hotel and store just opposite the estab-
lishment of Mr. S. He advised me what to do, as-
suring me that I should be protected at all hazards.
While on my way home I had sewed my money,
amounting to some sixty dollars, into my vest lining,
to keep it away from my father and his whisky cred-
itor. This money I now concluded to deposit with
Stone for safe-keeping.
The day wore away. My father returned in the
evening. I was in bed when he came in ; but one
of my little brothers said, " Father, Hiram's got
home." He made little or no reply. I got up and
came down stairs. As I entered the room he arose
and gazing at me exclaimed, ' ' What in the devil is
the matter with you? You look like a ghost." I
replied that I had been sick. " Sick ha ! you have
been to sea I suppose. What's the news in Europe ? "
** Nothing of importance," I replied, *' except that
the Dutch have taken Holland." At this he set up
a hearty laugh, and thus ended the matter for the
present.
42 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
In a little time I was able to walk about, and went
over to Stone's hotel, being made welcome to con-
sider it my home until I was able to go to work
again, which invitation I accepted. One day shortly
after this, as I was passing along in front of Mr. S.'s
premises, he standing in the door hailed me in some-
thing like the following language : ' ' That's the run-
away. Walk up here and let us see how you look."
As I stopped at the platform, one HoUister, an old
man, took me by the hand to help me up the steps
and offered me a chair ; but Mr. S. exclaimed, ' 'No" —
with an oath — *'he shan't sit here. I have called
him up here to horsewhip him." And suiting the
action to the word, reaching his hand towards the
post, he took up a large black whip and came towards
me in a rage. Hollister interposed, saying: Mr. S.,
you shan't strike a sick boy ; if you do I'll make a
corpse of you in two minutes ; I'll make your wife a
widow and your children orphans before sundown."
When my father heard of the manner in which S.
had attempted to horsewhip me, he was very much
enraged; so much so that he went over to see S.,
saying to him, among other things more forcible than
elegant, *' K you had struck the boy, I would have
made Irish hash of you and fed you out to the devil's
RBTUENING HOME. 43
boarders for breakfast this morning." This caused
a breach between Mr. S. and my father, which in a
measure worked a reconciliation between my father
and myself.
I remained with the Stone family during the bal-
ance of that winter, doing such chores about the hotel
as my delicate health would permit.
My father had found out that I had on deposit with
Stone the sixty dollars I had left with him the fall I
came home from Albany, and was about to make a
demand for it, when we compromised the matter by
a contract as follows : I was to give him sixty dollars
a year for my time until I was of age, paying thirty
dollars in advance, and thirty dollars every six
months, Mr. Stone being security for me.
Early in the spring, I engaged with Orrie Adams,
of Rochester, to drive stage between that place and
Avon, commencing work during the month of March.
During the next July I was changed to the route
from Rochester to Bergen, on the Buffalo road. I
continued on this route for two years and a half, and
during this time I became acquainted with a large
circle of young friends who were much given to frol-
icking and dancing, the latter a recreation to which
I was much attached from childhood.
44 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
During this time I induced my old and tried friend,
James Herrington, to come on from Albany to West-
ern New York, as an increase of the business in the
West made a demand for drivers. In him I always
found a true man ; vnth. all his rough exterior he was
one of "nature's noblemen."
I will here introduce an incident that occurred thir-
teen years later. In 1837, while I was pastor at
Bethany, in Genesee County, I took a journey to
Michigan. On my return to Buffalo I took the stage
for Batavia, the country being innocent of railroads.
Coming out of the hotel, I saw upon the box of the
stage, my old friend James Herrington. He had
changed, but I knew him. I resolved at once to get
the liberty of a seat on the box with him. So I said
to him in as polite a way as I could, "Well, captam,
can I ride with you on the box this fine morning?"
He replied, "I am no captain, nor corporal, but you
are welcome to a seat with me, as no other one has
spoken for it." So up I climbed, and away we went
out of the city.
I made every effort for him to recognize me, with-
out telling him who I was. I asked him a multitude
of small questions about driving, if it was not a hard
life, exposed to sun and storms, what wages he got,
RETURNING HOME. 45
etc., etc. To all of which he gave prompt and civil
answers.
As he stopped at Williamsville, ten miles out of
Buffalo, to change the mails and water the horses, I
volunteered to hold the reins. ** Think ye can hold
'em ? You look a little too white-livered to manage
these old snorters; but you may try yer hand at it,
stranger." So I took the reins, and while he was
watering he looked up and saw that I had adjusted
the ' ' ribbons" according to the rules of the ' ' knights
of the order of Jehu." As he got up on the box he
remarked, *'Well, I think you have handled four
* ribbons' before to-day, hain't ye?" and looked me
full in the face. I smiled and returned the look.
He exclaimed with solemnity, and not in a spirit of
profanity, «* My God ! if this ain't you. Hi. Stimson."
At once the tears stole down from his large eyes,
over his rough, brown cheeks, as he caught me by
the hand, and after a moment's convulsion said,
'* Well, well, if this don't beat all, that I should ride
all the way from Buffalo with you and not know Hi-
ram Stimson. How glad I am to see you ! Now, tell
me about yourself, and is your old mother living yet ?
I have heard of you a number of times in all these
years, and could hardly beKeve the yarns told about
46 FEOM THE STAGE GOACH TO THE PULPIT.
you, that you had become a Christian and a minister
and was much respected, and looked up to. Well,
well, if this ain't as strange as a dream I How do ye
s'pose I came to know ye ? It's just this : as I stood
there watering my team, and saw you holding them
* ribbons' something seemed to crawl into my head,
' I have seen him somewhere ;' and then when you
smiled I knew you, because you always laughed out
of the corners of your eyes. Well, Hiram, we must
talk fast, for its near the end of my road." I told
him all : how the Lord had led me to see myself as
a sinner, and to embrace Jesus as my only hope of
salvation from sin, from intemperance, and a drunk-
ard's undone eternity. And we parted with a prom-
ise and a hope to meet again.
James Herrington after this became a humble and
useful Christian, the deacon of a Freewill Baptist
church in the city of Buffalo, and died respected and
beloved by all that knew him. The reader will for-
give this episode. I must return to my narrative of
thirteen years previous
At my boarding house in Bergen I became ac-
quainted with a young friend, James Davis. He had
been apprenticed to the wagon-making business in
the shop of Mr. Carver. James and myself lodged
RETUKNING HOME. 47
together at Biiel's hotel, and at iiight he would tell
over to me all his troubles, Avhich were simply these :
His mother was a pious Baptist lady, as was also his
sister Sally. His oldest brothers, Lymau and George,
were also members of the Baptist Church. His fam-
ily were opposed to his attending places of amuse-
ment, and dancing, and these being the order of
the day in Bergen, it was almost impossible to re-
strain him. He soon became restive and dissatisfied
with his place and occupation, and decided to leave
home and seek his fortune among strangers.
I in turn gave him a history of my adventures on
leaving home. And I have reason to think that it
was mostly through my influence that he was in-
duced to leave home. Hence, how true it is that
*' one sinner destroy eth much good." He obtained
permission from Carver to spend a week at home with
his mother, but instead of going home he started for
Troy, in the eastern part of the State, where he had
wealthy relatives, I being the only one cognizant of
his real destination. Thus he had a fair start, his
mother supposing him to be in the shop at Bergen
Corners, and Mr. Carver supposing him to be with
his mother. When they discovered that he was
gone, his mother came to me and said, by way of in-
48 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
troducing the conversation, '< Young man, have you
a mother?" To which I replied in the affirmative.
'* Well, if you had left your mother and home and
gone — ^whero she knew not — and a friend in the
neighborhood did know, would it not be a mercy to
your mother for that friend to inform her of your
whereabouts?" This appeal to my feehngs quite
overpowered me, and with choked utterance and
tearful eyes I answer (?d, "I will tell you all about
your son. He is in Troy and here is a letter from
him," at the same time handing her one which I had
just received. The good old woman took it and
said, "God bless you for this relief to my afflicted
heart ! The death of my husband was indeed a sad
bereavement, but the wandering of my dear James
and the suspense I have been in to hear from him is
taking my life by inches I " I then as I never had
before, realized the pain and anguish I had given
my own dear mother in leaving home as I did some
two years before. Although I had some show of rea-
son for doing so at the time, I now felt that I was
guilty of a great outrage upon parental affection and
a mother's care. As I shall have occasion to allude
to this subject again, I will now dismiss it and pro-
ceed with my narrative.
RETURNING HOME. 49
I continued on in my wild and reckless career, at
times keeping the whole community in a state of
excitement about some practical joke. For instance,
while at Kochester, on one of my trips, there came
a young man into the *' Eagle Hotel," of a pompous
and boastful bearing, telling about his money and
his ability to carry on business. He said he wanted
to purchase a good mill site for manufacturing flour.
I saw at once that he was a '* greenhorn." So I
entered into conversation with him, telling him of a
grand mill privilege at Bergen, near the village,
where, with a moderate dam, a twenty-foot fall could
b6 obtamed. He made inquiries about wheat, the
probability of the owner selling the property, etc.,
to all of which I of course answered favorably. The
next morning he paid his fare to Bergen, treating
his new friend the ' * driver " at every stopping
place. We arrived at Bergen about noon, and as
soon as he had swallowed his dinner, oflT we started
for the proposed mill site. Just west of Bergen is
a deep gully, with banks twenty or thirty feet high.
As we approached the spot, I began discussing the
best place for the dam and the position for the mill.
By this time we were at the top of the steep bank,
when the speculator turned, and, looking me full in
50 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
the face, said : *' Well, but look here, driver ^ there
is not a drop of water in the whole concern."
To which I answered, in deep sympathy : <* Well,
that is a pity ; but I can't help it." This dry joke
cured the young fellow of Bergen and its water
power. He returned forthwith to Rochester, not to
hear the last of his Bergen speculation for many a
day.
During all these exhibitions of youthful blood, I
was not without a deep and pungent sense of my
lost condition as a sinner against God, and most
cons-cious that I was fast hasterdng my soul to an
utter state of ruin. And at times I would go alone
into the forest, and sit down and weep myself sick
over my profanity and Sabbath-breaking and the
premonitory symptoms of disease from my habits of
intemperance, which, if continued in, would, I
knew, result in my ruin for time and eternity, only
to return again to the hotel, or some circle of vain
and frivolous associates, and enter with more zeal
and apparent thoughtlessness upon my career of
sin. My pride and sense of propriety in the com-
pany of ladies exercised a restraint upon me, keeping
me from appearing outlandish and vulgar in their
presence. In fact, this was about my only passport
RETURNING HOME. 51
to respectable society, and constituted an my capital
as a decent sinner. And yet I would, when out of
such restraining society, reduce myself to a common
blackguard and billingsgate rough.
From early childhood I had a strong prejudice
against people of color. I believe the Irish gene-
rally are not very fond of their African relatives.
On one occasion, as I came up to the door of the
*' Eagle Hotel," to start on my drive to Bergen, the
only passenger to take the stage was a large, fleshy
colored woman, about forty-five years of age.
Colored dames of that age have a habit of becoming
fleshy very frequently. With her large bundle —
they often carry large bundles also — she seated
herself in the coach. As Mr. Blinn handed me the
way-bill, he said, in an undertone and with a mis-
chievous look, "I hope, Hiram, you will not get
love-smitten with this fair lady and come back a
married man." At which all the bystanders raised a
hearty laugh, and I cracked my whip and bounded
up Buffalo street at full speed. At each stopping
place my passenger and I were the. objects of some
laughing joke. It was much funnier to laugh at
colored people then than now. Why? When I
got to Riga Corners, within four miles of the end of
52 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
my road, while the postmaster was changing the
mail, I buttoned down all the cm-tains of the coach
and lit my lamps, though it was about noon, and
drove on to the vicinity of Bergen, when I held up
into a slow funeral walk, blowing my stage horn
with a plaintive-toning sound, so that it attracted all
the village. Taking a long circuitous turn up to
the hotel door, everybody came gazing with wonder
at my lighted lamps, closed curtains and slow,
funeral gait. As I halted, ]Mr. Buell stepped up, as
he was accustomed to, and opened the coach door,
when out sprung her ladyship, as though she would
enjoy a breath of fresh air. As she passed in with
Mr. B. to the dining hall, a boisterous laugh followed.
It so happened that I was acquainted with this
woman, and knew her to be a pious, respectable
Methodist member. As I lay down at night, this
indignity to the simple-hearted, innocent old woman
haunted me. All effort to sleep was vain. She
was black and I was white. She was a good Chris-
tian, a child of God ; I was a sinner, a child of the
devil. She was. despised by some low characters on
account of her color, but honored of God as one
redeemed by Jesus. I was despised, I thought, by
all good beings, and loved by none. If ever any
RETURNING HOME. 53
poor wretch was in torment, present and in anticipa-
tion, I was the most of that long night.
But how soon do all such superficial emotions
evaporate in mere momentary regrets, and leave the
blinded and hardened to return to their accustomed
folly and vicious pursuits ! On I went, involving my-
self in sin more and more, and as I look back upon
this dreary and dark pathway of my youth, I wonder
at the long-suffering of God in sparing me, a reckless
sinner indeed.
54 TKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTEK IV.
COUIITSHIP AND MARRIAGE. EARLY MARRIED LIFE.
L\) MONGr the many youth of Bergen who congre-
■-^-^gated for the purpose of dancing and other
amusements, was Miss Almedia Gifford, with whom I
had become acquainted. She was exceeding fond of
dancing. She was a great singer, and seemed to be
in her element when in the associations of her young
companions. At all public parties she was first on
the floor to lead the dance, and the last to leave the
room. Between Miss Gr. and myself there was a
growing intimacy ; that is, on all or nearly all these
occasions I waited on her, until the common gossip
of the place among the knowing ones was, that an
engagement was entered into. Some said one thing
and some another. Some expressed regrets that Al-
media should throw herself away on such a reckless,
rattleheaded fellow as Hi Stimson. But during all
this tittle-tattle of the gossip-makers, not a word or
intimation had been exchanged between us about any
COUKTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 55
permanent relations of after life. But the thing was
a fixed fact in the judgment of these all wise persons.
So much so that some of her near relatives said, **I
had rather see her dressed for her grave than for
the bridal chamber." All this coming to our ears
had a slight tendency to irritate us, and so I left that
place and went to Palmyra for a short time, our stage
route now being from Rochester to Palmyra. Things
passed on till all was quiet at Bergen, but not so
quiet about the regions of certain hearts.
On the 11th of October, 1825, my twenty-first
bu-th-day, I sat down in a by-place and soon found
myself in a reflecting mood. My thoughts took a
direction something like this : " I am now twenty-
one years of age. If I am ever to reform in my hab-
its, now is my time. The past has only revealed the
fact that I am growing worse and worse. I am pro-
fane ; habits of intemperance are getting a fast hold
upon me ; a large share of my companions are not the
most desirable in their conduct and character. What
the friends say in Bergen is too true. I am confident
though, that I possess the ability to be a man and a
gentleman." And I then and there resolved to go
back to Bergen and conduct myself with a little more
reserve and propriety. So when I got into Roches-
5Q FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
ter, I effected an exchange with a young brother of
mine who had now become the driver to Bergen.
The same day that I returned to Bergen was Thanks-
giviQg day, and the youth of the place were cele-
brating it with a ball. Strange as it may appear, this
was our understanding of gratitude to the Giver of
all good, and our expression of it was by dancing.
Here I met again ]Miss Gifford, and soon improved
an opj)ortunity to have a little close conversation
with her about the matter of om* previous intimacy,
and the common talk that had been going the rounds.
She frankly informed me that much had been said to
her about me, and her friends had prohibited her
associating with me. I then suggested an interview
to which she consented, and a time was appointed, at
which time we negotiated the matter, and on the
11th of January, 1827, we were united in marriage
at Bergen.
In the autumn and winter previous to oui' marriage,
there was in the Presb}i:erian Church at Bergen, a
considerable religious awakening. I believe not many
conversions were the result, but the church was much
improved in its religious condition, and among^ those
who were affected by Divine influence, was a young
man by the name of Harry Everett. One evening I
COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 57
attended their social meeting ; and this young man
arose, and in a very feeling manner addi-essed himself
to the youth present. I returned from that meeting
to my boarding place with deep and pungent convic-
tions. I realized myself a sinner against God ; and
now believe if some Christian friend had just com-
menced a course of conversation and instruction and
prayer with me, it would have saved me at least a
long and severe career of open rebellion against God's
truth. I was made sensible of the depravity of m}^
nature, and how utterly vain it was for me to hope
for reform while I was without a good hope in Christ,
and my heart unrenewed by the Spirit of God. So
I again procrastinated the all-important matter of my
soul, to what I considered a convenient season, which
never came. I still persisted in my course of sin,
with but little restramt, all the while groAving harder
in heart, and more confirmed in my bad habits.
In my connection for life with the woman of my
choice, I had a most congenial spirit as a lover of
mirth and amusement, but differing from me in this
particular : She detested anything like vulgarity
and profanity, and utterly detested all habits of
intemperance. Poor girl ! she little knew then that
the very man she had forsaken all for was hastening,
58 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
with rapid strides, to a full and complete inebriate,
and in a few years, if left to go on, would fill a
drunkard's grave and a drunkard's undone eternity.
The fact is, I was already a confirmed drunkard, in
all the essential particulars. True, I did not get so
intoxicated as to stagger on the streets, or to fall
into the gutter. But I was under the power of a
confirmed and unrelenting habit of the constant use
of strong drink, though often disguised. During
the first two years of our marriage, she had the
worst evidence that her fate was that of a drunkard's
wife.
She possessed two important elements of character,
viz : kindness of heart and resolution of purpose.
When she saw the sad evidences of her husband's
ruin, she manifested the spmt of an angel in manner
and in conversation. Yes, I have still in vivid
remembrance her benignant look, as she spoke to
me about my wayward course. Her resolution to
endure all the privation and grief, growing out of
her connection with the fallen and prospectively
ruined companion of her youth, who, day by day,
was perfecting himself for unutterable shame and
sorrow, was worthy of a saint.
As an illustration of the desperation and rapidity
COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 59
of my ruin, I will sketch to the reader the following :
Soon after the birth of our first child, I removed to
Mendon, the place of my early childhood and where
I had experienced, only a few years previous, such
a conflict with my father and Mr. S , as to induce
me to leave my home and the care and counsel of
my mother. I came back to Mendon with the osten-
sible purpose of carrying on the cabinet business.
Here I found a large group of young men w ho had
been raised up with me in childhood, now matured
into vigorous manhood ; and many of them had
made fearful advance in habits and practices of vice,
especially intemperance. As a matter of com-se, we
were congenial spii'its ; and "bii'dsof a feather" will
"flock together." Every leism*e hour was spent in
some place of amusement, at card playing or dancing,
or, what was still more degi-ading, drinking and
carousing.
It so happened during this summer, 1828, that
the scarlet fever prevailed in the community to an
alarming and fatal extent in many families. A large
share of my time was occupied in my shop, making
coffins for the dead ; and soon my own family was
visited with this terrible scourge. Our little boy,
then eight or ten months old, was stricken. My
60 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
wife was assisted by my kind-hearted mother and
sister in caring for the sick infant, while I was occu-
pied in my shop as stated, preparing those last
conveniences for the dead. I came in one evening
from my workshop and found my child in no better
condition, and with the sad evidence that but little
hope could be relied on of its recovery. My wife
had so long applied her energies by night and day
in a mother's care and love for her suffering babe,
that I saw she was unwell and nearly exhausted. I
said, " Almedia, I will step over to the hotel a few
minutes, and then I will sit up a part of the night,
while you get rest." So out I went, and soon fell
into the company of my companions, who suggested
a drink and short hand ^t " Loo." I consented, and
down we sat at the gambler's table. The excitement
of the game and the fumes of the liquor soon
effaced from my mind my obligation to my weary
wife and sick and suffering child. And so the
whole night I remained away, or until one of the
comrades said : " Boys, it's time to quit ; it's plump
three." I started from the place with amazement,
and, with a hurried pace, arrived at my house,
where a dim light was burning. And then fell upon
my mind, like a thunder-burst, my neglect of wife,
COUETSHIP AND MARRIAGE. 61
of my sick child, and my own debased condition.
As I looked through the window, and there saw my
pale and weary Almedia swinging the fan over her
babe, that was scorched and writhing with a burning
fever, oh ! what a mountain-load of guilt and self-
reproach crushed my conscience ! I was half inclined
to go and conceal myself in some unknown place ;
but I advanced to the door and silently turned the
latch ; but it was fast. I then went to the back door,
but that was fast also. I then knocked for admit-
tance. She came softly and opened the door. As
I came into the room, I said : " How is the child? "
She replied, with a stifled voice, " No better."
There was a solemn pause. I said, "Almedia,
come, you go and lie down, and I will take care of
him until daylight." To which she replied, " Hiram,
you are in no condition to take care of this dying
child. You are not able to take care of yourself.
You are under the influence of liquor. It does
seem to me, if you loved your wife and child as a
husband and father should, you would not have
remained away till this late hour. Come, go and
lie down, and when you are yourself I will talk
with you about it." Oh ! if a thousand thunders
had uttered their voices of condemnation and death,
62 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
they would not have struck greater consternation to
my withering soul ! I felt my way up stairs and
there lay me down, but not to sleep, not to rest.
And as the dawn of day and a bright August sun
came into the east window, as I was recovering from
the effect of my intoxication, all seemed to join
with the admonition of Almedia and the groans of
my suffering babe, to say : " Wretch ! wretch !
wretch ! You are, indeed. You are now only fitted
for ruin. How can you ever look your kind-hearted
wife in the face again ? Is this fulfilling the solemn
vow you made to her when, against the advice of
friends, she gave you her hand and heart, and who
has done all in her power to make you and your
home happy? Is this the example you are setting
before your child, if God should spare its life?"
It was a number of days before I fully recovered
from the dreadful sense of my outrage upon the
relationships of our home life.
In my temptation to engage in drinking and card
playing, while my child was so near death and my
dear wife so nearly exhausted, I now recognize most
clearly the influence of a personal devil. My utter
neglect and forgetfulness caimot be accounted for
even by drinking and the excitements of gaming alone.
COUETSHIP AND MAERIAGE. 63
I believe the devil had possession of me, and oblite-
rated for the time, home and wife and child. Young
man, you had better keep clear of the devil's church,
the drinking and gaming room. He always is on
hand where his disciples congregate. To keep out of
his clutches you'd better keep out of his places of
meeting with the children of men. If Satan comes
also when the sons of God meet together, you may
be sure be does so when the sons of Belial come to-
gether.
One of the principal means that facilitated my deg-
radation on this occasion, was a barrel of cider brandy
that my partner in business and myself had bought,
and kept on tap in the shop. You may be sure we
had plenty of company while the brandy lasted, and
we were expected to drink with each one who called
for the brandy's sake. This wholesale provision for
drinking, in connection with the horrible night's
debauch and gambling, led to a little sober reflection,
which resulted in a secret resolution to stop drinking
for the short period of four days. 1 made the reso-
lution during the night, went into the shop in the
morning, and worked until breakfast was ready, and
drank nothing. Then felt a strange want of some-
thing, but could eat no breakfast. So by the time
64 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
the fourth day came, I was all lassitude, and gene-
rally wanting in energy. I had kept my secret pledge
all of four days, and then returned again to old habits,
but with a deep, penetrating conviction : "This you
ought to have continued. It is your only hope of
salvation from all the dreadful consequences of in-
temperance."
A TURNING POINT, 65
CHAPTER V.
A TURNING POINT — VICTORY OVER WHISKY — ^A
SHOOTING MATCH ETC.
MATTERS thus passed on until Christmas, 1828.
There was to be a shooting match in the village
that day. As I awoke in the morning these thoughts
were suggested to my mind : "Now it's Christmas, and
I shall go out with my associates to-day, to join in the
sports and dissipations of the holiday. The result
will be, I shall add another pang to my distracted
and aching heart. I made one half-hearted effort to
abstain from drink ; it failed for the want of deter-
mined, uncompromising resolution, a will to conquer
or die, I have fallen into the same sin and shame
that I have abhorred in others. Here I have a beau-
tiful and kind-hearted wife ; I have a child that Heaven
has spared to us, while others have been taken all
around us . My dear mother and sisters are yet spared
to me, but I fear only to be brought to anguish and
shame by my reckless conduct. And now before I get
up, I must decide this all-imp ortant question. And I
66 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
WILL. I WILL NOT DRINK NOR TASTE OF IT. I WILL
NOT GIVE IT TO OTHERS, OR PROCURE IT FOR THEM."
This was at four o'clock on the morning of Christmas.
It was an awful moment. I arose and went about
my morning duties, and at the time of the gathering
at the shooting-match grounds, I put in my appear-
ance.
My first shot drew a turkey. And as the custom
was on such occasions, the successful one was
expected to bring out his bottle ; and so a number
cried out, "Come, Hiram, bring on your * clear-
ance,'" as was the phrase. But I said, "No. If
you don't get anything to drink until you get it from
me, you will never drink." Then I made my second
shot, and drew another turkey. At this they were
more clamorous than before, and one cried out,
" There are cobwebs in our throats ! " I replied,
" If they are not washed out except by liquor that I
buy, young spiders will hatch out by hundreds."
It was enough. My companions knew by the look
of my eye and tone of my voice, that I was not to
be trifled with.
a turning point. 67
editor's remarks.
[When a man steps out of his former self, and turns
the scale m which his past life is in one balance and
his future life in the other, there is something about
him that forbids vulgar familiarity. Such a passage
in life is of too supreme importance to leave its hero
at the sport of common-going souls. They at once
shrink back. They do not comprehend the solemnity
of the situation, nor the new — new to them — mani-
festation of human nature. For it is within the
compass of our strange organism to change the whole
bent and issue of our lives in a moment. Those who
think that moral changes in man must be wrought
slowly like the changes in man's physical nature,
have never thoroughly comprehended the problem
of human life. All souls are not capable of the
sudden transition from a state of aimlessness to one
of unswerving purpose ; from a state of servitude to
any vice, or habit not commonly called vicious but
destructive of true development, to a condition of
victorious self-reliance, and of course they are inca-
pable of comprehending the idea. But a live man,
whose instincts are keen, whose glance can compre-
hend a complicated situation, and whose resolution
shrinks from no hazard and no mountain weight of
effort, can in a moment's time become a totally dif-
ferent man from what he was, even mentally. It is
not one in a thousand who has the courage to grasp
this reversing lever and pull it down at a stroke,
even with the bright prospect of a total change for
the better immediately before him. The latent
ability is lodged in many, perhaps all men, but prac-
tically it is used by the very few. But this does not
invalidate the truth that men — some men — can in a
68 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
pulse-beat, forever bid adieu to the character they
have been years in slowly building up, and as sud-
denly begin a career on a different plan and accord-
ing to different principles, resulting in the growth of
a character as different from the former one as Jacob
was different from Esau, as Abel was from Cain.
Here is a man of passionate nature, cultivated by
years of indulgence, and worse, inherited. His
speech continually betrays him. He has the most
intense loves and hatreds, the latter not entirely free
from prejudice. And yet he has no patience with
prejudice. His soul abhors mush and milk men.
He has no patience with living antediluvians. He
thinks the only place they are entitled to is in the
ground. Contact with them, or more properly,
against them, stirs his whole vehement nature, his
tongue included. He has no thoughts, feelings or
words of excuse for their last century modes. If it
wasn't wrong, he would banish the whole tribe to
some island, or perpetual " sleepy hollow," or more
likely to the gi'ound. This man stops. Some one
in whom he has unbounded confidence may stop him.
He says, "I see this fiery temper and tongue are the
bane of my life. I could augment my influence five-
fold were I to part company with them for good."
The resolution is formed. The will has reversed
the whole mechanism of the man. Henceforth he
is patient. He can think out an apology for old
fogyism, if need be, or for sly, plausible devils,
under some circumstances. He can associate with
those whose ideas in many respects are antagonistic
to his oT^n, and yet not chafe himself. He can speak
peaceably to and of those who stand on the other
side of a great dividing line. He is as impetuous
A TXJENING POINT. 69
against wrong as ever, but he is tolerant of slow-
ness and feebleness. He burns against intelligent,
deliberate ^vrong-doing as hotly as ever. But
towards those who are to be pitied rather than
blamed, even if their presence is oppressive, he has
forgiveness and tolerance of heart and tongue. He
is a self-controlled, care-taking man. He is a new
man. His life is keyed on a different note. The
course and issue of his existence are totally different.
What is true in this respect holds good when it comes
to the conquering of a dominant habit that has gath-
ered to itself all the power of the will. The "awful
moment," as Father Stimson calls it, comes when
the man may liberate himself. The will summons
its energies and offers itself as champion of the
enfeebled nature, before making a final surrender of
itself. . The issue is met and passed in a moment.
The die is cast, and the man goes forth, forever con-
firmed in his slavery to the habit, or forever free
from it. In such a struggle, brief as it is fierce, one
wants no aid from friends. He must be alone. It
is purely a self-conquest. It is an " awful moment."
And why is it that men will admit this marvelous
capability of human nature over itself, and yet
stagger at the truth of Eevelation, that the eternal
God can suddenl}^ change the currents of a man's
moral nature ; can in a moment conquer the opposi-
tion of his selfish will ? K we admit the miracle as
within the scope of man's own power, why deny a
similar though greater miracle, perhaps, as within
the compass of Divine power ? And as to its fact,
there are personal, experimental proofs of it in every
community. — Ed.
70 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
On the evening of the day of the shootmg-match,
we all repaired to the hotel to raffle for the turkeys
and other prizes, among which was a fat beef, just
slaughtered. As the evening passed, strong efforts
were made to induce me to drink or treat, as I was
considered a lucky man in shooting and raffling, and
I now had, in addition to turkeys, etc., a hind
quarter of the beef. But I refused as persistentl}'-
as I had in the day time. Then a friend, who had
observed the conversation and who was acquainted
with me from a child, knowing all my reckless
habits, spoke up: "Boys, Hi is right; I have a
mind to see how many will join in 'kegging' up for
a month? All that will, step this way, and I will
take your names ; and a month from to-night all
meet at my house, to talk over the matter and see
how we can stand it." Twelve put their names to a
simple pledge not to drink for thirty days, at the
end of which time we were to meet at the residence
of Gen. Cady, a man of wealth and highly respected,
though he had long carried on the distilling business
in that town. This was the first temperance effort
in East Mendon.
At the expiration of the thirty days we met at
the General's house. The community had in the
A TURNING POINT. 71
meantime become not a little excited on what they
called the "cold water question." That unhistorical,
but not altogether uninteresting group, is worthy of
a moment's scrutiny. There were old men who
had " followed strong drink " from childhood — blear-
eyed and red-nosed. There was the temperate
drinker, expressing his opinion that "a little was for
health." There were the young men and youth of
the place, looking on curiously to see what would
be the upshot of the "cold water movement." One
man said he put his name down on Christmas and
had kept his pledge until that last day, but would
not suffer again as he had during the month for the
best farm in Mendon ; and he had stoj)ped on his
way there and improved his liberty by taking a
drink. He felt better. This man died a drunkard
in Mendon. I was called upon to express my
views. I said I had been in a commingled state of
mind and feeling during the last thirty days. The
first ten days, everything went like dragging a cat
by the tail, hard pulling, with much squalling. But
for the last twenty days everything was changed for
the better. Wife was better ; little boy was better ;
neighbors were all changed for the better ; and the
world seemed to be made on purpose to make me
72 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIl.
and everybody else happy. I knew of but one
thing as a drawback to keep us from all being
happy — ^the devil in the shape of whisky. Forty
more added their names that evening, some for
a month, others for a year. Ethan Allen, a
young man about my own age, joined for ^'ninety-
nine years." I was not to be outdone by him, and
put my name down for one hundred.
This move was the foundation of subsequent events
not looked for by me, or remotely anticipated by
others. My attention was soon arrested by an un-
common concern of spirit about myself as a sinner in
the sight of God. My mind was never before so
directed to the great fact. It followed me by day and
night. I resorted to every expedient to dissipate
these unwelcome and melancholy impressions. I had
no inclination to attend the meetings in the commu-
nity, and still I felt a kind of compelling power to
attend, that I could not resist. I assumed the office
of critic, making remarks about Chi'istians and their
manner of prayuig, speaking and singuig. Some-
times I would attend the Baptist meetmg, and then
pretend that I was disgusted with their order of con-
ducting worship ; and especially disgusted with Eev.
E. Weaver, the pastor of that church.
A TURNmG POINT. 73
I would mimic him, by getting a crowd together
and haranguing them in a mocking manner, and by
paraphrasing the hymns sung at the Baptist meeting.
Thus I went on from bad to worse, until one Sunday
I went to hear Mr. Weaver, when his text was "Who
for a morsel of meat, sold his birthright." (Hob.,
xii. 16.) The very announcement of the text meant
me ; all the illustrations meant me ; and when he
made the application, I was quite positive that he
meant to insult me, and that some one had told him
all about me, and my conduct was all known to him.
I went out of the house quite in a rage, and expressed
to one of the members my hatred of the man that
would single me out before a large congregation, in
the way he had that morning. The friend replied
that he presumed that Mr. Weaver knew nothing
about me and that no one had told him a lisp about
me. The same friend came tome in a few days and
said : "I spoke to the Elder about that sermon, and
he says he did not know you were in the congrega-
tion, and had no knowledge of you, only that j^ou
were like other young men in the village, ^ a common
sinner on the devil's common.' "
All this while my distress of mind continued, and
every shift I made for relief only increased my horror
74 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
of soul, until at last this thought impressed me, that
I had committed the unpardonable sin, and I had
now better give myself up to sin and the enjoyment
of life the best I could; I had gone beyond all
reasonable expectation of deliverance from sin. The
Spirit's influences had left me forever, and I was just
as much damned as if I was already in hell ; and if I
would only go back to my cups and old associates
again, I might enjoy life for a while at least. But
damned I must be, damned in the end to all eternity.
The effect of this temptation was, that instead of
being led back to my old companions, their company
and presence were made all the more disgusting to
me ; so that I resoh^ed to keep out of their way,
and seek seclusion from all society. I had made
two or three efforts to pray, but it seemed like
solemn mockery, and only aggravated my distress.
One evening as I came from my work, my wife
said we needed something from the store, and I at
once started to obtain it. As I came near the store,
the thought of my resolve not to put myself in the
way of my old associates, came to me, and so I
passed by the store to see if any of them were in.
If so, I would return without the article. I saw
the store was empty, and went in. But no sooner
A TURNING POINT. 75
had I got into the room than in came Mr. U. T.
James, the hotel keeper. I at once turned my face
from him, determined I would not sin any more by
joining with him in ridicule of sacred things. I had
no sooner thought it than he came up to me, saying
in a bantering, sneering, devilish tone, " Well,
Hiram, I understand you are crying 'Abba Father.' "
My first impression was to deny it by cursing and
swearing. The next impression, as quick as thought,
was, "Confess it and confess Christ." I replied,
"]\Ir. James, it is time I cried for mercy and relief
from sin. You and all of us as sinners need to cry
to God to be merciful to us." He at once turned
as pale as ashes and ti'embled in every muscle, while
George Allen, the clerk in the store, looked at me
with blank astonishment.
Then something seemed to say in a superhuman
whisper, "iVbi^ go and pray, and you shall be heard
in heaven, and Jesus will relieve you of all your
burden and apply His blood to cleanse your pollu-
tion and make you whole." Away I went to my
home, only stopping long enough to leave the article
on the table, and hurried to the bam, behind which
I kneeled and opened my mouth in confession and
prayer to God. And O, such relief! O, such joy I
76 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
O, such views of Christ and of the plan of salva-
tion ! And what a debasing sense of myself, of my
misspent life, of my awful sins against God and His
holy law !
I at once went into the house and exclaimed,
" Almedia, God for Christ's sake has had mercy upon
your poor, miserable husband." And to my mother
I said, " Your son that was dead, is alive ; was lost,
is found." Soon the Christian neighbors came rush-
ing into my humble cottage, and expressed their
gratitude to God in hymns of praise, and the prayer
of thanksgiving to Jesus the Savior of sinners. At
midnight, we closed the delightful exercise by singing
that old hymn, now found only in books that are out
of print : —
" Away my unbelieving fears ;
Fear shall no more in me have place.
My Savior doth not yet appear ;
He hides the brightness of His face.
And shall I therefore let him go,
And basely to the tempter yield?
No ! in the strength of Jesus, No I
I never will give up my shield."
That was my birth night. The Kingdom of God
had come down to me. I was a new man in Christ.
After this first morning, I had an opportunity to
A TURNING POINT. 77
receive the congratulations and advice of not a few
veteran Christians of the different denominations in
the place, — among them, Dea. Barrett and DeWolf,
of the Baptist, and Hon. Timothy Barnard and
Deacon Ezra Sheldon, of the Presbyterian Church,
and a large company of young converts, who had,
within a year or two, been brought to a knowledge
of the truth. I commenced attending the social
gatherings of the new company, who assembled for
the pm-pose of mutual conference and prayer — that
is, the company was new to me, and I found myself
astonished at the perfect contrast between what I
heard, what I saw, and, more than all, what I felt
now and only a few days before in the society of my
old cronies. Only a short time before, I hated
these men, now I loved them ; once I could not
endure to listen to their addresses in such meetings,
but now I was interested like a charm in all they
said, in every hymn sung. And, although I felt
weak and insufficient, yet I desired to bear some
part, though humble, in the worship of God. I
felt it was a special obligation resting on me to
confess Christ in public and in private. Wherever
I went, whoever I saw. Christian or not, I either
expressed my new love for Christ, or rather His old
78 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
for me, or I invited some poor fellow-sinner to go
with me to "Mount Zion."
Although I expected to join the Presbyterian
Church, yet I knew no difference in my love
between that and the Baptist Church. Christian
men and women were now the excellent ones of the
earth to me ; and I was just as much at home in one
meeting as the other. I soon discovered, however,
that Almedia had no relish for the Baptists : and,
joined as she was by my relatives in this opposition
to them, it became a source of gTeat UTitation to
her and my sisters whenever I attended one of the
Baptist meetings. And they commenced paying me
off in the same coin, with compound interest, for
my ridicule of the Baptists. They would put
themselves energetically at work to invent some
caustic joke at my expense : calling me, for instance,
"the Weaver sprout of the last gTowth;" "the
second edition of Elder Weaver, abridged and bound
in cahf;" "my dear Elder Hiram-" "Brother
Stimson;" "Our Elder," etc.
But they soon found that this was all useless, for
the same grace manifested to turn the current of
my affections from error to truth, from hatred to
love, fi'om sin to holiness, could not be moved by
A TUENING POINT. 79
any mere scoffing and silly laughing ridicule. I had
been too well schooled in that kind of appliance,
and too perfectly understood its powerless effect
against the spirit of Jesus and the love of God
j&lling my heart. I had tested it in the times of
ignorance and opposition to Christ, "whereof I was
now ashamed."
This was soon changed for more stern opposition
against not only the Baptists, but against all vital
godliness and zealous Christians of every name. But
in the midst of it all I came to the conclusion : " This
is all right in the Divine economy of salvation. The
Master means to show me how cruel I have been in
pouring contempt on Christians, in ridiculing them
to their faces, and how wicked I have been in my
profane conduct and open opposition to Him and His
anointed ones."
After a few weeks had passed, my attention was
called to the duty of connecting myself with some
church. I need church-fellowship for my own wel-
fare, and in order to increase my influence over my
fellow men. But above all, I saw it was a positive
command of the great Head of the Church.
80 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT,
CHAPTER VI.
A SEAKCH FOR A CHURCH.
ny [O one had said a word to me, however, con-
▼ ceruiug the matter, but I knew that I needed
the advice of intelligent Christians. So when on the
Sabbath, the pastor of the Presbyterian church gave
notice of the preparatory lecture on the following
Friday, and also stated the session would meet imme-
diately after the lecture, to receive applications for
membership, and also stated that on the next Sabbath
the ordinance of baptism would be administered to
infants and adults, I immediately said to myself: "I
will improve tliis opportunity and offer myself as a
candidate for membership ;" not for baptism, for I
supposed that I had been baptized. "I will also
bring my children — we now had two — forward for
baptism." This I expected to do, as much as I
expected to live till the next Friday and Sabbath.
On Monday morning the pastor of the Presbyterian
church called upon me at my shop, and after making
a few inquiries about my hope in Christ, he asked if
A SEARCH FOR A CHURCH. 81
my children had ever been baptized and if I intended
to present them at the administration of the ordi-
nance ? I replied that they had never been baptized,
and said I would present them, if I could get the
consent of my wife. After a few more remarks upon
the subject, the minister went out.
There was at work in the same shop, John
Woodbury, before • named in this narrative, a
staunch Baptist. He heard my conversation with
Mr. Anderson, the minister; so, when he had gone,
Mr. Woodbury came to me and said : "Brother
Hiram, did I hear you say that you intended4to have
your children baptized next Sunday?" I replied
that such was my intention. He continued : "Do
you think it to be your duty?" "Certainly, I do."
"Well, Brother Stimson, if it is your duty, it must
also be my duty, must it not?" I replied : "Of
course it is ; and here is where I think you Baptists
are in error, in not having your children consecrated
to God in baptism." He said: "If this is com-
manded in the Bible, we are in error, indeed." I at
once replied: "Well, it is commanded in the
Bible ; I can show it to you in ten minutes, or
could if I had the Bible here. I will look it up
when I go home to dinner, and show it to you this
82 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE FULPIT.
afternoon." "Very well, when you do so I will
have all my children baptized." "But," said I,
"Elder Weaver will not baptize them." He replied :
"Well, then, I will join the Presbyterian Church,
and have Mr. Anderson do it." I now thought, "I
have caught him ; " for I supposed that I could find
it, or rather that my mother could, and I knew that
the Presbyterian Church would be glad to receive so
good and worthy a man as John Woodbury. When
I went home to dinner, I took up the Bible, at the
same time relating to mother, who was then present
at my house, the conversation with Brother Wood-
bury and the proposition he had made, adding, "and
now, mother, let us find it and see if he will stand
to his proposal." Upon which, she adjusted her
glasses to her eyes, saying at the same time : "Well,
the Bible is all full of it." So we sat down together
to find this very easy and common command upon
all parents. I of course depended on her, as I was
ignorant of the Bible on all questions. She looked
here and then there — first in the Old, then in the
New Testament. Soon dinner was ready. "Come,"
said I, "let us sit down to the table, and aft^r dinner
we will find it." She replied, "No, you sit down
and eat your dinner, and I will find it, so that you
A SEAECH FOR A CHURCH. 83
can cany it back to Mr. "Woodbury." But at the
conclusion of our meal, the said precept or example
either was not forthcoming ; and still the dear old
lady was confident the good Book was full of it,
and she could find it by the time I came back to
my tea.
I went to the shop, feeling a little puzzled what to
say to my dear friend Woodbury, if he should ask
for it ; but not a word was said by him, and I was
sure I should not say anything if he did not, and so
the afternoon passed away. At the tea hour, I
hastened home to get the required evidence on infant
baptism. As I came in, I saw the Bible was put
away, and mother was employed knitting as usual.
" Well, mother,'- said I, " have you found the pas-
sage on infant baptism, yet?" She replied, "No ; I
can't find it. I thought it was in Ezekiel or Jere-
miah. I have forgotten just where it is, but I know
well enough it is in the Bible. But, Hiram, let me
say to you, you had better keep away from those
Baptists; they are always dogging converts about
baptism." The manner and spirit in which it was
said at once indicated to me a little distrust about
the existence, in fact, of the thing I was in pursuit
of. But I replied, " Mother, John Woodbury is a
84 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
candid and pious Christian man, and the request he
has made of me is a reasonable one ; he has used no
influence to proselyte me, nor has any other Baptist,
to anything but the truth and the salvation of my
poor soul to Christ. And now, mother, I am not
going blindfold one single step. I have been a
miserable, deluded sinner all my life, and my eyes
begin to be opened, and my prayer is for more light.
I shall search the Bible for myself, and what that
requires of me I shall do Tvith Divine assistance.
Without it I shall fail and stumble ; with it I am
confident of ultimate success and correct direction."
She said I'd better go and see Mr. Anderson ; he
would tell me all about it and find the passage for
me. I replied, "It will be a pleasure for me to do
so, and I will this evening." So off I started to
converse with the Pastor of the Presbyterian church.
He received me very kindly, and made many valua-
ble suggestions about my future prospects, and the
delight it gave him to know that I had seen my folly
and turned to God, exhorting me to fidelity in: my
Christian course. I then said to him that I was in
perplexity about infant baptism, and informed him
what had taken place that day, since I saw him in
the morning at the shop. After a minute's pause,
A SEARCH FOR A CHURCH. 85
he said, and with some hesitation, "]VIr. Stimson,
that is a subject you had better leave to take care of
itself. You come right along and put yourself
within the church, and this whole subject will adjust
itself to your mind without any perplexity, in a
little time." So back I trudged through the dark,
made doubly so to me since I had not got the pas-
sages on infant baptism, with which to meet Brother
Woodbury. When I arrived at home, I told mother
of my ill success with the pastor in my search after
light, and sat down with my Testament to see what
I could gain from that to help me out of my trouble.
In the morning, as I resumed my employment in the
shop. Brother Woodbury came along to my bench
and said, " Well, HLiram, I have waited twenty-four
hours for that Scripture on infant baptism; have
you found it yet?" My reply was in the negative,
of course, but qualified by the remark that " mother
had been looking in the Old Testament for it, and
that I was looking in the New, and if it was there,
we should find it." I saw a slight smile irradiate
from his face as he said, " Well, you have got the
best part of it. Your mother will look in vain in
the Old Testament for baptism, but you will find
it is a very plain subject in the New Testament.
There's not a word of it in the Old."
86 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
Here the conversation ceased, and during the day
I resolved on two things ; first, I will not join any
church until I see my duty made plain from the Bible
on the subject of baptism. Second, I will take the
New Testament as my only guide and counsel in all
religious faith and practices. When I had made
these two resolves, I felt such a confidence in Christ
and His blessed Spirit as I had never experienced
before, and from that day I commenced the study of
the Bible, with an intensity and determination to
know all the truth, but without the least expectation
of ever being a Baptist, or thinking them correct in
faith or practice ; no more than I had of supposing
Mahommed was right. I really expected to find
sprinkling and pouring as the common, if not the
only act for the ordinance. But three short weeks
revealed to me, and to my utter sm-prise, that I was
mistaken. My investigation was carried on in this
manner without any assistance from Baptists or Pedo-
baptists : I commenced at Matthew, first chapter,
and first verse, and continued through by course, to
the last chapter and verse of Revelation, marking
every passage on baptism, pouring and sprinkling.
When I had fijiished I reviewed the whole, to find
the results. I found the words baptism, baptizing
A SEARCH FOR A CHURCH. «^
and baptized eighty-one times ; pour, pouring and
poured, seventeen times ; sprinkle, sprinkling and
sprinkled, seven times. Where the subject of bap-
tism was alluded to, if qualified at all, it was by
"going into the water," "coming up out of the water,"
"))eing buried with Christ in baptism," "baptized
into Christ," etc., etc. The word jpour was quali-
fied, but had no connection with baptism whatever ;
and the same held true in regard to the word
sprinkling.
Just as I had closed this investigation in my own
simple and private w^ay, the Rev. Mr. Anderson
preached a sermon on baptism, taking for his text.
Acts viii. 38 : "And they went down both into the
water, both Phillip and the eunuch, and he baptized
him." The first sentence of the sermon was : "This
refers to the apostolic mode of baptism by immer-
sion," and he went on to say, "No reasonable doubt
can be entertained but that Jesus of Nazareth was
thus baptized in the river Jordan ;" but he undertook,
with a great show of words, to prove that other modes
were equally as well. It was indeed a Godsend to
me. My duty was now becoming plain. This first
remark of the preacher, and my own silent investi-
gations, left but little doubt as to what was the true
88 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
course for me to pursue. All this while nothing had
been said to me on the subject by any one. So the
Monday evening following this discourse of Mr.
Anderson, I walked over to see him unbeknown to
any one.
I have so far neglected to state one important fact
in my early history, which is this : While my
parents resided at Saratoga Springs, and while I was
an infant, I was taken seriously ill, and my parents,
fearhig I was about to die, called in a Presbyterian
minister, who sprinkled me for baptism. I had
always depended on this as sufficient until within
the past three weeks, but now all my dependence
on my infant sprinkling was gone. I found Mr.
Anderson in his study, and he gave me a hearty
welcome and at once iiiquii-ed : "Well, Brother
Stimson, did you get any new light on the subject
of baptism?" I readily answered, "Yes; lam glad
to know that your iermon and my investigations of
the New Testament convince me that the apostles
immersed, and that the Savior was baptized by
immersion in the river Jordan; and my business
here to-night is to see if you will immerse me." " I
will do so," he replied, "if you cannot be satisfied
with anythiug but immersion and you have never
A SEARCH FOR A CHURCH. 89
been baptized by any other mode." I replied, "I
must confess to you the truth ; " and I proceeded to
give him the history of my being sprinkled when an
infant. He then said to me, "Such being the facts,
I cannot immerse you, as I would consider it sacri-
lege so to do." " What can I do then? " I inquired.
" You can join the Baptists ; they will immerse you
on profession of your faith, notwithstanding your
previous baptism." To this I objected : "I cannot
do that ; they are close-communion." " Close-com-
munion ! Pooh ! They are no more close-com-
munion than we are. We take no one into the
Church until he has been baptized, neither do the
Baptists ; the only difference being in what we
consider baptism." This opened the matter in an
entirely new light to my mind and completely
changed my views upon the question, and I said to
him: "I'll go home and think upon this matter."
As I walked along, I could but admire the man for
his magnanimity and generosity. The next morning,
I called upon Deacon Woodbury, a brother to John,
and asked him a few questions about the Baptist
Church policy, of their faith and practice ; and
after getting a candid exposition of the matter, I
informed him of what I had been doing the past
90 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
three weeks, to which he made a remark of com-
mendation and said : " Move on, Brother Stimson,
with caution ; you are taking the right direction,
and if you keep near the Cross, all will result for
your advancement in the Divine life."
But now the most trying pomt in all this conflict
was yet to come. The opposition of my wife,
connected as it was with that of my other relatives
and friends, against the Baptist denomination, would
be no surface agitation, I was satisfied ; .and how to
broach the matter in such a way as to evince a
Christian spirit and not excite a disposition to
contend, was a question of the first moment to me.
I had ample time for reflection. From Tuesday
morning to Friday evening, this subject was con-
stantly on my mind. After supper on Friday
evening, I said to Almedia, my wife, "Come, go
along with me to the Baptist covenant meeting
to-morrow afternoon." "Not I!" was her prompt
reply. "Why not?" I inquired. "What do you
desn-e to go there for?" she asked. "I am goiug
to join the Baptist Church, if they will accept me,"
was my quiet answer. " You join the Baptists !
Well, you will go alone, then." At this moment
my mother came in, and Almedia saved me the
A SEARCH FOR A CHURCH. 91
trouble of informing her. My mother comimenced
weeping and talking at the same time. "Well,
Hiram, you are the only child of mine that has
experienced reMgion, and I was in hopes you would
feel it your duty to join the Presbyterian Church,
and I think you are hasty in the matter, and have
been influenced by Elder "Weaver and the Wood-
burys." "Not so," said I; "I have not exchanged
a word with Elder Weaver on the subject of
baptism; and as to the Woodburys, all that has
been communicated to me is this : John Woodbury
asked me to find infant baptism in the Bible, and
you and I have made an effort and could not
produce it. You then sent me to Mr. Anderson,
and he could not produce it; and last Monday
evening, I told him my convictions, and he says I
am a Baptist, and as an honest Christian minister
has advised me to join them, and the Lord Jesus
helping me, I shall do it. - I want to do right, and
I am confident the Bible directs in this way." This
last remark put an end to the conversation for the
present.
92 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PDIiPIT,
CHAPTER Vn.
THE CHURCH FOUND.
¥HE next day, in the afternoon, the covenant
meeting convened, and a large concourse of
people assembled. Among the number, were Heber
C . Kimball and Brigham Young . Brigham sp oke . At
that time he had left the Methodists, and belonged
to what were called the Gifibrdites. He was quite
fervent, and spoke with much feeling and effect. He
was regarded as stronger in heart than in head. His
faith and piety were counted of more force than his
intellect. Heber C. Kimball, on the other hand, was
respected as a man of much more mental power, but
not of great devotion in comparison with his asso-
ciate, Young.
[A recent interview with Brigham Young, on the
part of the editor, in company with Rev. E. P. Ham-
mond, letters of introduction being given us by
Father Stimson, satisfied him that this estimate of
him by Father Stimson at the time of his conversion
would require modification, and much of it, to be
THE CHUECH FOUND. 93
applicable to him now. His piety can hardly be
spoken of as dominant. His will can. His ambition
can. His selfism can. His power overmen can. His
early simplicity of heart and devotion have certainly
deserted him. A more Jesuitical, autocratic ruler
of men, cannot be found on the globe. Men change.
Brigham is a puzzle ; and Mormonism is puzzling.
The latter because of the former. Men who have
known him longest, acknowledge that they know the
least about him. He is fearfully and wonderfully
made ; especially the former. And yet he will talk
to you with the greatest apparent relish, of pure and
undefiled religion. Abandonment of principle is
followed by either open wickedness, or habitual
hypocrisy. Brigham is an exception : in his case
it has been followed by both. — Ed.]
At the meeting referred to, thirty-one converts
related their experience to the church, and the next
day (the Sabbath) they were immersed in the
likeness of Christ's death and resurrection, and
among them was myself. A day never to be for-
gotten by me. The Baptist church in Mendon then
numbered about four hundred, a united and happy
people. Their zeal and devotion were known in all
the land. God was with them in the power of the
Spirit. My new relation to the Baptist church I found
a very pleasant one. A large number of ardent
Christians and warm-hearted friends, both old and
94 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPrT.
young, stood ready to counsel and encourage in every
good word and work, and the summer and autumn
of eighteen hundred and twenty-nine was enjoyed by
me as no former season of my life had been. In fact,
this was the only drawback to the gliding days and
months : my dear companion had no good hope in
Christ, and no sympathy with the people with whom
I was identified, and in whose society I found such
delight and Christian fellowship. I could, however,
see most plainly that she at times made great efibrts
to render herself agreeable to those with whom I
came in contact, but it was also as plain that their
society was not agreeable to her. She was unwilling
to attend the Baptist meeting, and would refuse to
interchange visits with persons of that society, only
in such cases as would be a breach of good manners,
and sometimes she was not so careful even about
that. All this grew out of one fact, a want of a
change of heart and love to Jesus, as the sequel will
show by her own confession in a subsequent work of
grace, and as was manifested in a life altogether short
of consistent devotion and application to the duties
of a wife and mother in the Christian sense.
It gives me pain to refer again to the opposition
evinced by her during eighteen long months after I
THE CHURCH FOUND. 95
had hoped in the pardoning mercy of the great
Redeemer ; and I have only consented to do it since
her conversion to Christ magnifies the grace of
God. "Where sin abounded, grace did much more
abound." As I have before stated, she was
possessed of a nature of kindness and a very
benevolent disposition. Nothing was wanting to
make home all that could be desired, except the
one thing needful on her part. She opposed prayer
in the family, and would absent herself from it, if
possible, and often would resort to extra efforts to
disconcert its order. She was unwilling that the
pastor, or any of the Baptist society, should
interchange visits with the family.
All this rendered necessary, at the commence-
ment of my discipleship, the very important grace
of patience. In all that I have named, I saw in
miniature what I was when in a state of alienation,
fighting against God and resisting the truth of the
Holy One of Israel.
My own soul was in deep agony for sinners. I
constantly felt a weeping solicitude that they might
be brought to the Saviour, and I envied the talent
and ability of any one that was qualified to expostu-
late with and win souls to Jesus. But what could
yb FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
I do? All my childhood and youth had been spent
in sin and folly, and now I had come to the years
of mature manhood, involved in the darkness of
igno'rance. Religion don't educate a man, though
it often makes him feel his need of education and
gives him fixedness of purpose in acquiring it. No
education ! no character ! and in no condition to
obtain the one or strengthen the other, and with no
hope of either, at least without the interposition of
God's sovereign grace.
To say a word to any living creature about my
feelings and anxieties, I could not. If I should, I
would be laughed at as visionary, or rebuked as
ostentatious. In this state of mind, I resolved to
make such improvement as I could under the
circumstances. So I obtained a dictionary, and
steuted myself to study six columns a day, by
spelling the words and committing the definitions.
A dictionary is the first thing instinctively sought
by every ignorant person who is bent on educating
himself. Without knowing why, they all feel that
a knowledge of words lies at the foundation of all
that needs to be known, or can be known. Here is
a good point for philologists.
My wife heard my lessons at night. This she did
THE CHUBCH FOUND. 97
with cheerfulness, little knowing what use I intended
to make of my knowledge. During the day I would
fix the dictionary before me on the bench, and would
repeat the spelling and definition of the words to
myself while I was busy at work with my hands.
Every evening found me a little further on, till in
this way I went through the entire book. I have
found this systematic study of the dictionary of
invaluable benefit to me during all my public life.
Having had so few school privileges in early life,
and having spent so large a portion of my time in
the society of those whose language was as imperfect
as it was impure, my knowledge of the spelling and
meaning of words was very limited. I was at this
time furnished with a few religious books and the
New York Baptist Register. The books were,
Baxter's "Call to the Unconverted," his "Saints'
Rest," "The Evidences of Christianity," and "But-
terworth's Concordance." These, with the Bible,
constituted my library. But I made good use of
them.
98 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER Vni.
A YEAR OF JUBILEE.
Ca)bOUT the first of June, 1830, a powerful
-^ -^revival of religion began in the Baptist church
of Mendon, but extending to adjacent towns, and
continuing into the autumn of the year ; and then
increased in power as the winter set in. A year,
blessed be God! never to be forgotten by me, nor
by a multitude of others, redeemed as the purchase
of Christ's precious blood. Among the number was
my dear companion. This fact makes it the year of
jubilee to me. She had not been to the Baptist
church for months previous to the evening of her
surrender to Jesus. She was induced to go by some
means, I knew not what; and although we had had
no preaching for weeks on account of the illness of
the pastor, the meetings were continued from day to
day and from evening to evening by the members
of the Church, in a manner to interest and profit all.
This evening the pastor thought it his duty to preach,
as a large congregation had come out, and though
A YEAR OF JUBILEE. 99
quite feeble, he held the audience spell-bound, from
the text, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God." During the whole delivery of
the sermon my soul was weighed down with such a
spirit of prayer for my wife as I had never before
experienced, for her salvation. It seemed to me
that all I had ever felt for her before was merely the
result of sheer selfishness, a desire to make me and
my home, in a domestic point of view, more com-
fortable. God never answers selfish prayers. He
cannot consistently. But now I saw, independent
of my interest in her as a companion, or as the
mother of our children, that she had a soul to save,
for which Christ died, and which, if saved, would
be a star in His crown of rejoicing ; but if lost, would
be lost in unutterable despair for eternity. And oh !
what a sense was impressed on me of that word,
eternity ! " Oh I will she submit to-night to the
Spirit's blessed influence ? " As the preacher closed
his discourse, he said, "If any poor sinners will now
yield to the Lord Jesus, let them manifest it." And
while he was yet speaking, before any one had
moved, she left her seat and came down the aisle, and
as she came, said, "O, my dear Christian friends I
will you pray for me a sinner? O, my husband!
100 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
can you forgive and pray for me?" And then
bowed herself, burying her face in the lap of the
pastor's wife. Others came forward for prayer, and
found peace in believing, almost immediately. But
Almedia remained in her kneeling posture for a long
time, under great agony of spirit, but at length
arose with a countenance beaming with a heavenly
smile, and broke the silence of the moment by
saying, " Can such a sinner as I am hope for mercy
at the hands of an insulted Savior? Yet I have
insulted His Spirit, I have insulted His children,
and," turning to me, "I have been angry at God for
converting my dear husband. But with all this
aggravated sin, my heart says I will believe in Jesus
and I will follow Him by His assisting grace."
Perhaps it will not interest others to relate all
that transpired for the next two years after her
conversion to Christ. I will simply state the fact,
that at the first covenant meeting she offered herself
to the Baptist Church for membership. And
although the day of her baptism was one of intense
cold, she, with others, followed the Savior with a
joyful heart into the liquid tomb ; and from that
day, was a practical illustration of the Scripture :
"Even so we also should walk in newness of life."
A YEAK OF JUBILEE. 101
The next spring, we found it for our interest to
move to a place called Sibleyville, near West
Mendon, and so changed our church membership to
Rush. In Sibleyville was a large business carried
on in the manufacture of carding and agricultural
implements.
The factory was under the proprietorship of
Hiram Sibley & Watson. The former of these
gentlemen has since become wealthy, and, with a
wise generosity, has given a large sum of money to
the Rochester University, with which " Sibley Hall "
has been erected, one of the first educational build-
ings in the land. Though not a member of the
Baptist Church, his sagacious eye has seen the
immense advantage to a city and commonwealth,
for all time to come, of the establishment of such
an institution of liberal learning on the most per-
manent basis, and his hand has given accordingly.
In my new employment, I was connected with a
class of hands numbering some eighty in all, and
not one of them a Christian, except an old man by
the name of Kimble, a Methodist, pious and godly.
The whole company, with this single exception, was
given to drinking, profanity and Sabbath desecration.
I proposed to Kimble to start a meeting in the
102 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PTILPIT.
place ; but he thought it useless, as our associates
were so irreligious, the most of them being drunk-
ards and scoffers at sacred things. "Well, then,"
said I, " let us get up a temperance meeting, and see
if some of them can't be reformed." But he said,
"No ; we can't do anything for them." "Well, I
shall make an appouitment, and you must come out
and act as chairman of the meeting." He finally
consented, if I would take the responsibility of the
result. "I will assume that," I replied. So I made
an appointment at the school house, giving a written
notice. It so happened, without any design on my
part, that it would occur on "town meeting" day.
I went to East Kush and selected a young medical
student to come up and be secretary. His name
was Howard. The evening of the meeting came,
and the whole crew in and about the shops had been
to the "town meeting," and were well liquored up.
Kimble saw the cases we had to deal with, and
regretted that we had hit upon that evening. But
in we went, and found the school-house jammed
with all classes. Many were respectable young
men and women, while a host were hard cases,
highly fired up with "town meeting" whisky. As
we came in with our associates, all manner of
A YEAR OF JUBILEE. 103
remarks were made : "There come the cold water
devils;" "hold your breath, Jake — ^you will take
fire from that candle," etc. Then followed a loud
laugh. Kimble looked as pale as ashes. I arose
and said : "It is time to organize the meeting, and
I will nominate Mr. Kimble as chairman and Dr.
Howard as secretary." The Doctor seconded the
motion. "All in favor of the motion, will say, aye."
"I;" "I;" "I will;" "I won't;" "I shan't;" "I
can't," went up on all sides. "Contrary-minded, say
no." "No — no — no — no, not I;" "No, not you,
old 'Kib." The whole scene was not the most
orderly imaginable, nor calculated to quiet delicate
nerves. Kimble took the chair, with about as much
grace as a dog gets over the fence after he has been
caught stealing sheep. He called on me to pray,
which I did as well as I knew how under the unde-
votional circumstances, when they began hooting
and jeering again. But I at once arose and com-
menced addressing the meeting something as
follows :
"My dear neighbors of Sibley ville, I rejoice to see
so many of the respectable inhabitants of this place
out to this meeting to-night. It argues well for
your respect to the cause of sobriety and the cause
of humanity. The occasion is most auspicious, for
104 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
more than one reason : It is town-meeting day, or
the evening of our town election, in which a few
have not only exercised their right to the elective
franchise, but to improve the right of driaking
egg-nog well seasoned with bad whisky, and such
other drinks as men indulge in to make fools of
themselves, and to disgust all good and honest-
thinking people ; and as we have a few specimens
of that disgusting and degTading class present
this evening, I propose to talk to you about
Temperance.'''
As soon as I had pronounced the word '^''temper-
ance,^' a pettifogging lawyer of the town rose in his
place and interrupted me by asking : "^Vliat is the
definition of the word 'temperance ' ? "
I saw at once that it was all done to disturb the
meeting and get up a row, and, if possible, break
up the meeting by disorder and drunken slang. I
knew him to be a man of some education, — in fact
he had been a school-teacher in the town, and was
in repute as a man of intelligence. So I replied,
"I presume every person in the congregation is
quite familiar with the definition of the term, except
Mr. Townsand ; and as he has been so long accus-
tomed to the other side of this important word,
and has now nearly finished his course of intemperate
A YEAR OF JUBILEE. 105
education, I propose, now, that we buy him a
Webster's spelling-book and send him to a good
school, to some woman teacher for three months ;
and at the end of his time, if he has not learned
the signification of the term temperance, that we
then put him on a course of simple diet of buck-
wheat cakes and cold water for three months more.
And if that don't effect his knowledge of the word^
at the next town-meetmg we will turn him over to
old ''Aunt Cloe,' the goddess of his passions."
At the conclusion of this reply, the entire
congregation were in a perfect storm of laughter at
poor Townsand's expense.
I then made an appeal to the young men, sighting
them to the class present who had given us, there
and then, such a demonstration of the effect of a
drunkard's life and character, and asked them to
decide that night which side they would take ; and
every man and woman present, who was not iden-
tified with that company of the baser sort, came
up and signed the pledge — among the number, Hon.
Hiram Sibley and his partner in business, Mr.
Watson. After this, temperance was the order of
the community.
Poor Mr. Townsand never heard the last of the
proposition to send him to a woman's school.
106 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER IX.
SHALL I PEEACH? FIEST PASTORATE.
IN my new relation with the church at Rush, I
found a more ample field in which to develop the
ardent desire of my heart. The church was small
in comparison with the one at Mendon, which at
the time numbered some four hundred. At Rush
the numerical strength was one hundred all told,
mostly poor and not well-trained in Christian work.
In fact, many of them did not believe in the
benevolent efforts made for the extension of the
Messiah's kingdom, while a few believed in every
good word and work. The pastor was a young man
from the Mendon church. Partly owing to this, I
was at once put forward by the working members
of the little church, and encouraged by the young
pastor to enter every open door of usefulness — the
Sunday school, prayer meeting, the conference
meeting. In a short time we established a number
of out-stations, some in considerable-sized towns
near by.
FIRST PASTORATE. 107
My effort at the temperance meeting had created
quite a stir among the better class of the commu-
nity, and not a little rage among the baser sort.
Thus I was called upon to address gatherings at
Sunday school meetings and temperance societies.
I was at home with all classes of working Christians :
Methodist, Presbyterian and Baptist.
Long before I left Mendon, I was impressed with
the duty of preaching Christ to all my fellow-
sinners, but was always met with the depressing fact
of my unfitness for a work of such magnitude and
responsibility. No expectation of even a common
education, I yet had an insatiable thirst for
knowledge, that I might tell the story of Christ's
love to a world of lost sinners, what He had done
and was doing for their salvation.
Many dear friends said and did much to encourage
me to enter just as I was upon the work, while
others suggested that I might perhaps go to Hamilton
and take what was called the "short course." But
this looked well-nigh impossible, for two reasons :
First. In that case, my wife and children would be
without any visible means of support, while I was
twenty-six years of age and not instructed in even
the common branches. What little knowledge I
108 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
did possess, was in a crude and disconnected state.
Second, The church in Rush was quite divided on
the question of licensing me to improve my gifts in
preaching. Something was the matter, first of all,
with my doctrinal views. A part thought I was not
exactly sound on the election phase of the Gospel,
whatever that is ; while others thought that if this
was true, it might not work great inischief to let
me try and do all the good I could in the name of
my newly-adopted Master, Christ the Lord. As to
my own views, I did not know which I was, or on
which side of these questions I properly belonged.
But this one thing I did know, that Jesus Christ
came into the world to save sinners, and the Gospel
was the power of God unto salvation to every one
that belie veth.
I continued to hold meetin2:s in such communities
as opened a door to my poor efforts, so that all my
Sabbaths were occupied. At length the pastor
pressed the church to give me a regular license to
preach wherever God should cast my lot. The
" hypers " opposed and the " lowpers " pressed it to
decision. The vote was finally decided with six
majority in my favor, out of about fifty votes. The
clerk refused to make a record of the action, because
FIRST PASTORATE. 109
the sisters voted. The pastor and friends asked
him to give a certificate of the vote, which he also
declined to do. The devil shows his ingenuity in
inventing such men and getting 'them into the
Church. He generally only loans them to the Church,
for in nine cases out of ten, he receives them back
again. This man was not an exception. He con-
tinued to show his pious zeal for having all things
work according to "Gunther" in the church. When
I received a call to the little church in the "town" of
Alabama, Genesee County, and decided to accept it,
the question of my receiving the license came up
again ; but he, with the- same holy love of meanness
as ever, stoutly refused it. He was shortly deposed
from the clerkship, excluded from the* church, and
imprisoned on being found guilty of theft. His name
was Murray.
During the pendency of this certificate business, I
kept still, having very little confidence in paper
credentials, paper creeds, paper religion or paper
sermons. (Skip the last word, or read it in a
whisper.)
I soon moved to my new field, where I found my
hands and heart full. I was shortly ordained by a
council of churches, represented by the following
110 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
pastors : Elijah Weaver, G. B. Davis, KosweU
Kimble, Martin Coleman, Samuel Gilbert, Horace
Griswell, Stephen A. Weaver, and Wm. Barrett.
I think all these have pas'sed away to their rewards,
except the last named, who left the Baptist Church
and joined himself with the Methodists.
The church in Alabama was organized in 1831,
with twenty-one members. The following year they
reported to the Association one hundred and ninety-
two. I remained with them until 1835, when I
accepted a call from the church in Parma.
This was a very trying year to me. During it my
dear Almedia sickened and died, leaving me with
four small children, and myself with impaired health,
I have had misgivings about the right of leaving
Alabama at the time I did ; yet I then thought it
duty. Certain after developments have led me to
question the correctness of the step. The whole
time of my connection with the Alabama church
was one of uninterrupted prosperity.
Many incidents occurred in this country church,
which are worth remembering. In one portion of
the "town" was a community of Universalists, who
controlled the school house in that district. There
was then but one pious family in the neighborhood,
FIRST PASTORATE. Ill
the man a deacon in my church. He was quite
desirous that an effort should be made for the refor-
mation of his neighbors. But many of the church
thought it impossible (at least inexpedient,) for so
young and inexperienced a person as myself to be
brought into contact with these semi-skeptics with
any advantage to the cause. But I told the deacon
that if he would get the right of the house, and he
and his wife and little Adney would stand by the
cross and pray for salvation, I would come over and
in the name of Jesus I would " strike for liberty and
salvation."
He and "Aunt Eliza" gave the best of assurance
of fidelity to the work at whatever cost. So we gave
out the appointment for Wednesday evening, and the
meetings to be continued day and night, for time
indefinite. It was early in March, and farmers had
not much to do. Wednesday evening came, and with
it, a crowd that filled the house in every part. A
murmur was heard in a certain corner, with such
remarks as : "I smell brimstone ;" "the devil will get
you ;" "look out for the bottomless pit ;" "hell will be
your portion;" "now for a gospel storm of hail and
hot damnation, mixed."
While this was going on, I called on the deacon,
112 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
his wife and little boy to pray. Such pleading with
God it seemed to me I had never listened to before ;
and soon all was still as the hour of death. At this
moment came in Mr. McC. and wife, carrying a light
stand and two candles, also a chair apiece. As the
Squire, for such he was, took his seat in fi'ont of the
desk and fixed his writing apparatus, an audible smile
arose from all over the room. I arose, called on all
to sing the fifty-fifth Psalm, in Watts' old book,
" Let sinners take their choice, and choose the road to death,"
and announced as my text, when they had finished
smging ; "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ,
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every
one that belie veth."
As I was about to proceed with my sermon, Squire
McC. interrupted me by saying, "Will you repeat
your text again?" I did so, calmly, and then went
on. In a short time, "Will you wait a minute till I
take that down?" I waited. And so he conttaued
to interrupt me at almost every step for about
twenty minutes, all this time the congregation
evincing more or less merriment at the sharpness of
Squire McC.
All this time, the Deacon and "Aunt Eliza" were
FIRST PASTORATE. 113
groaning in spirit for Divine help for the stripling
of a minister. When it came in point, I quoted
from Mark iii. 28-29 :
"Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven
unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith
soever they shall blaspheme :
"But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy
Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of
eternal damnation."
"Put that down, Squire McC," said I; "and
don't forget the chapter and verse." I went on :
"Our Universalist friends say that there is no eternal
damnation. Jesus says there is. Whom shall w^e
believe?" The Squire pushed back his chair and
paper, and that was the last of his note-taking that
evening. He sat the rest of the time with bowed
head and downcast looks. The next morning, he
and his wife called at the Deacon's and requested
prayer, and confessed their skepticism and sin.
They were both converted.
Major Richards lived in this community, and a
day or two before the meeting, he thought to
nullify all the efiect of the meeting by alluding to
it in something like the following : " Stimson is to
hold a protracted meeting in our school-house next
114 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
week." "So I hear," would be the response.
"Well, I will tell you what I have been thinking
about," he would continue ; " and it is this : you,
Mr. A., (or B., as the case was,) will be among the
converts." "Not I — not I," would be the natural
reply. "Well, I will bet two shillings on it,
anyhow." And, "I will take that bet," his friend
would say. Then the Major would go to the next,
and make the same wager. In his round he came
upon Capt. H., who refused to bet money, but
would bet a bushel of potatoes against twenty-five
cents.
The meeting continued a number of days, when
one evening a lady came and invited me to go and
stay with her family that night. I consented. She
had come to the meeting on horseback, and her
husband left the house first to go on and start the
fires at home. On the way she told me that her
husband was under deep conviction, but he had
made a bet with the Major of a bushel of potatoes
against twenty-five cents. He did not know what
to do. Not that he cared for the potatoes, but the
bet was a sin in his view now.
When we arrived at their log house, we found the
captain quite depressed in spirit. I at once com-
(
FIRST PASTORATE. 115
menced conversation with him about his state of
mind as a sinner, and put to him this question,
" Capt. , are you willing to do any and everything
you can for salvation in Christ?" "Yes; all I can
do." " Will you pray in your family and begin here
now, to-night ? " He hesitated. " Well, now Capt. ,"
I continued, "this is the turning point." He still
hesitated. " Come, Capt., now resolve to pray, and
ask God to forgive your sin of trifling with sacred
things ; and to-morrow morning go to the Major
and pay the potatoes, and tell him you have lost the
bet, fair play." And I quoted Ecclesiastes v. 4-5 ;
" When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to
pay it ; for he hath no pleasure in fools ; pay that
which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou
shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and
not pay." He hesitated no longer, but cried out,
" O, Elder, do pray for me ! " We all bowed, and
God delivered his poor soul that night from con
demnation. The next morning he went, paid the
potatoes like a man, and confessed to the Major, and
warned him to flee from the coming wrath.
Thus the work went on against the deep laid plans
and open opposition of the enemy. The third Lord's
day after the meeting began, twenty-three were bap-
116 FROM THE STAGE COAOH TO THE PULPIT.
tized; Capt. H. and wife, C. McC, Esq., and wife,
among the number. In all, eighteen heads of families
and five youths. And we continued to sing,
" O, careless sinner, come,
Pray now attend;
This world is not your home,
It soon will end.
Jehovah calls aloud,
Forsake the thoughtless crowd.
Pursue the road to God,
And happy be.
During this year a squad of blacklegs came to
town, and as usual, made an onset upon the morality
of the community. They secured a large field
adjoining the house in which we worshiped, and
fitted it up for the races. I trembled for our youth
in view of this moral pest. Horse-racing, like
circuses, may be all right ^er se, only they are never
found ^er se; per contra is the attitude in which
they stand to all morality.
The Sabbath before this devil's protracted meeting
began, we held forth the word of life from the text
in Psalms xvi. 9 : " Gather not my soul with sinners
nor my life with bloody men." It had the desired
effect. Not a Christian of any denomination at-
tended, with a single exception; and he was
FIEST PASTORATE. 117
disciplined, and confessed his wrong doing. The
Lord's day following the races, we preached from the
text, John viii. 44 : "Ye are of your father the devil,
and the lusts of your father ye will do ; he was a
murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a
liar, and the father of it." The chief man among
the gamblers was present, and listened with marked
attention to all the scathing utterances of the yoimg
preacher, with all the decorum of a saint. He had
won a thousand dollars at the races the week previ-
ous. As the congregation was dismissed he took
his position near the door, and as I came out, he
reached me his hand, and with a smile, said, "I am
happy to hear you to-day, and should be pleased to
make your acquaintance, Mr. Stimson. Good day,
sir," and he passed off among the crowd. In shaking
hands he had left a ^yg dollar note in my hand.
On my way home I commenced the following close
conversation between myself and this son of Belial,
now absent in body but present in spirit; "Well,
Mr. Devil Jr. , you think you have caught me in a
trap, but I will let you know that I don't bite at any
such poison-bait. If you have paid this to buy your
118 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
conscience ease, it will only increase your pains four-
fold." I thus went to my home and told my wife
what had occurred, and showed her the note. She
smiled, and remarked, " Quite a nice donation." I
replied, "Not so nice for me. This is hush money.
And I will make the deviPs children wish they had
kept it out of my hands."
The next morning I went to the hotel, and asked
the clerk for Mr. R. He directed me to his room,
where he greeted me with all the suavity of Lord
Chesterfield. Mr. R. with his companions, were
surrounding a table loaded with liquors of different
brands in fine cut glasses. I walked up to the
table and laid down the bill, saying: "Here, Mr.
R., is the bill you left in my hand yesterday. I
now return it to you as "base gain," iUy gotten by
you, and probably given to a poor minister to ease
your guilty spirit, or as a pretext for scandalizing
the servants of God, by saying Hhey will preach
against our profession, but are as eager as other men
to get the avails.' Gentlemen, I cannot take a bribe.
You are young men that appear well in exterior, but
inwardly are corrupt. You have brought to our
town, and have caused to congregate here during
these days of races, the vilest prostitutes, to poison
FIRST PASTORATE. 119
and pollute our young men. The worst forms of
intemperance follow in your wake, as a besom of
death and destruction to all that come within your
power. May the Spirit of God follow you, and
hedge up your way to despair. Good morning,
gentlemen."
During this little speech each man sat as still as if
made of marble. In a few days it was ascertained
from the landlady, that it was a plot designed to
bring scandal on the minister ; that he would as soon
take money from gamblers as from any other source.
But it failed this time. I was gratified in after years
to learn from J. H. Green, the reformed gambler,
that this same Mr. R. became a reformed man and a
Christian, and related to Mr. Green the circima-
stances of the foregoing plot, and requested him if
he ever came North, to find me out, and if living to
extend to me his grateful emotions for kind and plain
dealing.
The following winter was a time of general refresh-
ing in all the churches in Western New York. Our
dear church in Alabama had a divine portion meted
out to them, but not as extensive as that of a year or
two previous. The church was well united, and
quite happy in their covenant relation with each
120 FROM THE StAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
other. There remained, however, not a few in the
community who had not been personally brought to
accept Jesus. Among others there were three yoimg
men, whose names we shall not mention, whose
enmity to the truth had increased in the same propor-
tion as they had resisted Christ and grieved the
Spirit.
Among others that they didn't like, was the pastor
of the Baptist church. I had a young and spirited
horse which needed a vigilant eye, and careful hand-
ling. My carriage was a rude sort of concern,
mostly manufactured by my own hands, but answer-
ing all the purposes of a poor minister in a new
country. It was early in March, when I had an
appointment at an out-station where these young men
resided. My appointment was on^ the evening of
Sabbath. I arrived at the usual time, and as a light
snow was falling, I covered my animal up snugly
with the blanket, and went into the school-house. All
were waiting for the minister. In the course of the
evening, in came these three young men, and quietly
waited till the meeting closed. I got into my buggy,
if it could be dignified by such a name, and drove
carefully home as usual, not mistrusting the least
harm to myself or property. There had been a
FIRST PASTORATE. 121
February thaw, and as the ground froze up again it
left deep ruts, which I let the buggy follow ; got
home between ten and eleven o'clock, put up the
horse and went to bed, unconscious of any danger to
which I had been exposed. As I went to the barn
in the morning, in passing the vehicle I noticed a
linch-pin was missing, and on examination found that
all were gone. On going into the barn, I found that
the harness was cut in a number of places, and only
held together by mere strings ; if any part had given
way, or a wheel had run off, a shipwreck would have
taken place, and life or limb would have been in
jeopardy in the darkness of the night.
I went into the house with a deep sense of God's
preserving care impressed on my heart, and with a
strange wonder as to who could be our enemy. At
family devotions I rendered thanksgiving to God
for protection, and then prayed for those who had
sought our hurt, but failed in their malice. After
prayer, wife said : " Why, husband, what has
happened that you should be so exercised at prayer
this morning?" I tried to evade her inquiry, as I
was unwilling she should know what peril I had
been in, or that she should think 1 had an enemy so
malicious. But all my attempts at concealment only
122 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
made her the more mquisitive — ^for some women,
even, are inquisitive — and earnest to know the facts.
I told her, and showed her the buggy and harness ;
and we mutually agreed to keep it a secret and let
time develop the mystery, as I had all the time an
impression that it would. f
This occurred the first of March. Things moved
on for a month or more, not a word coming to our
ears from any source by way of explanation of the
affair. As we were going to the same school house
one Sabbath morning to fill an appointment, I saw in
the distance a young man, sitting on a log by the
roadside, and at once recognized him. What can it
mean, I thought, that he should be out here Sab-
bath morning, a mile and a half from home ? As I
neared the spot, he arose and came directly to the
carriage — by using different words to designate what
I rode in, I may hit it — and after saying " Good
morning," asked if he could ride with me to the
meeting. I stopped, and as he got in he looked over
the dash board of the ark at the harness, first one
side and then the other. The place where the tugs
were mended was visible to the naked eye. He then
hung his head, as if in a deep study, and with a woe-
begone countenance. There was perfect silence for
FIRST PASTORATE. 123
a few moments. At length he said : "Mr. Stimson,
I have come out to meet you this morning to confess
an awful crime of which I am guilty." At this he
choked up, and became convulsed beyond utterance.
After a moment's pause, he said: "Will you stop
here in the woods ? " It was a dense forest. By this
time he had so far got the control of his emotions as
to speak distinctly. He proceeded, "I am one of
the men who cut j^our harness and took out the
linch-pins of your buggy. I do not want you to
ask me who were with me and are equally guilty
as myself. I told them last evening that I was
going to confess to you the whole matter, so far as
I am concerned. Now, Elder, can you and will
you forgive me, and pray God to pardon me for
this awful, malicious sin?" He went on to say:
"The night we committed the act I did not close
my eyes, and all the next day I dreaded to hear
from the Lewiston road lest the news should be.
Elder Stimson's horse ran away with him and killed
or hurt him ; and when I understood you were
about as common, I went into the stable and wept
like a child. The entire six or eight weeks since
has been a constant hell of torment to me, day and
night. Now, Elder, tell me what I must do to
124 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
satisfy you, and then what I must do to find peace
with God and my almost distracted mind." "Well,
my friend, you have nothing to do to satisfy me.
As far as I am concerned, it's all cancelled. As to
your relations to your Maker and Savior, all I have
to say is, in the words of Paul to the jailer, * Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.'
Go into the meeting this morning and confess
yourself a sinner, and ask Christians to pray for
you. Now, will you do it?" To which he replied,
in a subdued tone : "I will, God helping me."
And we drove on to the meeting. The young man
was as good as his word. At the close of the
meeting, he got up and confessed his sins and asked
Christians to pray for him. His sister, who was a
godly woman, shouted out, "Praise God!" While
this young man was speaking, the whole church
was in tears, and two other young men were noticed
to be quite restive in the back part of the room.
I at once called on others who felt the need of
prayer and salvation to express it by rising and
speaking, and seven or eight at once improved the
moment ; but the two restive young men did not
leave their seats. We closed with a solemn season
of prayer, and two found peace in believing. But
FIRST PASTORATE. 125
the young man was left in a state almost bordering
on despair. The next day he called at my house
to pay the damage to buggy and harness, but I
declined to receive anything whatever.
This was the opening of a new refreshing for the
church. In the course of one or, two weeks, two
other young men called at my residence, and wished
a private interview. We went into an adjoining
room, and as soon as seated, one of them commenced
by asking me if a Mr had in any way implicated
them in a certain transaction quite disreputable ? I
answered, " No." " Did he implicate himself in the
matter ? " " What matter ? " I inquired. " Any matter
of injury to yourself or property ?** I answered,
" Gentlemen, any matter confided to me of a per-
sonal nature, not affecting the public interest, I am
bound by the laws of Christian honesty to keep ;
and as a minister of Christ, I am protected by the
law of the land from divulging it even in a court of
justice. (The only good law for which we are
indebted to the Catholics.) So I hope you will not
press me to answer any questions in regard to
Mr ." "Well, Mr. Stimson,'we are involved in
all the guilt of that malicious act in exposing your
life on that night you came from the school-
126 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
house, and have come here to-night to settle the
matter, if we can."
" So far as I am concerned in this affair, I have no
price to set, no sum to ask. Have you arranged
the matter with your God and King? Your sin
agaiQst Him is vastly of more importance to you than
all my interest. Do you feel that your acts in this
case are a great sin against God? and that unre-
pented of and unforgiven, they will peril your
interests in eternity? I hope, young gentlemen,
you will consider this matter in its true light, and
bestow on it the thought its importance demands."
" We called, Mr. Stimson, to adjust the damages to
your property, and we are willing to satisfy you for
all the inconvenience and loss you may have sus-
taiaed. K had kept still and not acted the
'fool by exposing the matter, nothing would have
come of it. It will teach us after this to know what
company we keep. Will you tell us how much we
must pay you for your damages ? We are wilUng,
Elder, to give you a good round price to settle it."
I said sternly, " Why, dear young men, no money
consideration could tempt me to expose my life as it
was exposed on that night. Sitting in a conveyance
behind such a spirited horse as that of mine, if one
I
FIRST PASTORATE. 127
of the reins or tugs had given way, or a wheel had
run off, the human probability is, I should have been
severely injured, if not killed outright. I appeal
to you, as common-sense men, what is the price?"
" Oh, well, we only meant the damage to the carriage
and harness. We are willing to pay a good round
price for our folly. Now, tell us how much and we
will pay it if we can." "I shall take nothing. The
mere expense of repairing buggy and harness is
trifling. I shall take nothing from you. I would
like to see you in the same deep exercise of mind
about your sins and lost condition, as your friend
was a week ago last Sunday. It would be worth
more to me than money counted by hundreds."
" Oh, well, Elder, he believes in a judgment day,
and in hell, and eternal punishment, and all that
kind of thing. We do not. We believe God loves
and will be merciful to His erring creatures, and
will not be as exacting as men are to their fellow-
men. It's getting late, and we have a long way to
go, and if you won't take anything for your expenses
and trouble, we will be going home." "Be pleased
to wait a moment. I will call Mrs. Stimson in, and
we will have a season of prayer before we separate."
To which they reluctantly consented. After worship
128 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
they departed, saying at the door, " We hope, Elder,
you won't make this matter public." I replied, " It
will be public enough at the judgment day, and I
fear, to your everlasting regret."
The next Saturday, at our covenant meeting, the
first-named of the three young men applied for
membership, relating his experience to the church,
and the da}^ following, "obeyed from the heart the
form of doctrine he had received." On the Sabbath,
I preached from these words — ^Luke xvii. 17 : "And
Jesus answering said. Were there not ten cleansed?
but where are the nine?" The effect upon the
congregation was subduing. Many wept aloud and
others shouted for joy. It was a good day to the
people of God. The two young men were not
present, but had gone to hear the Rev. Mr. Hiscox,
who preached in another part of the "town," where
they heard hell spoken of as an "old heathen fable."
The end of the two young men — they both became
confirmed Universalists. One descended to a
country tavern-keeper of the lowest grade, and
died a drunkard in Michigan. The other became a
poor, wandering vagabond, and died a few years
since near Battle Creek, in the same State. The
first of the trio sustained a good character from the
FIRST PASTORATE. 129
time of his uniting with the Church, respected and
loved by all who knew him. He often expressed
his joy and wonder at the amazing grace of God in
his salvation, and would sing :
" Why was I made to hear thy voice,
And enter while there's room ?
When thousands make a wretched choice,
And rather starve than come.
* 'Twas the same love that spread the feast
That sweetly drew us in ;
Else we had still refused to taste,
And perished in our sin."
During this summer I had more appointments up
in the town of Eoyalton, then quite destitute of
religious privileges, given to Sabbath desecration
and trifling amusements. The place of holding
meeting was a new log school-house, surrounded
with a settlement composed mainly of Mohawk
Dutch. They thought they were Christians by
birth-right. They had the vaguest idea of what the
latter term means. Of course, there is no such
thing now ; so that for being ignorant of an obsolete
idea, we could hardly blame them. But, to think
and call themselves Christians, when they were
destitute of the first principles of practical Chris-
130 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
tianity, was hardly as excusable. Still, they had
all been sprinkled in infancy — so they learned from
their parents or near friends, if they ever took the
trouble to inquire — and of course this made them
Christians. If such a method of entrance in the
Kingdom of Heaven involved any conflict — and the
Bible speaks about a conflict — it must be the
physical conflict of the infant in resisting the
performance of the rite.
After the second or third meeting, I was informed,
as I came into the place, that I could not have the
school-house any more, as I had ofiended one of the
trustees by what I had said about whisky-drinking,
Sabbath-breaking, dancing, etc. I was further told
that the said "Christian" trustee had locked the
school-house, and had the key in his pocket. But,
if I said so, the house should be opened, if they
had to have a fight for it. "O, no ! O, no !" said I ;
"we can have meeting as well out-doors as in a log
school-house. God is not confined to temples made
with hands." So I drove up to the place, and there
sat the trustee on the door-sill, with eight or ten of
his friends surrounding him as a kind of body-guard,
for they evidently expected a conflict of "Yankee
snap with Dutch muscle." All about the house
riKST PASTORATE. 131
were men, women and children in waiting for
meeting to open, or the battle to begin, as the case
might turn. The old two-hundred-and-twenty-five-
pound avoirdupois trustee looked daggers at me,
and knit his brow in true Mohawk style. He evi-
dently was carrying a heavy cargo of whisky.
I at once said, "Brethren and friends, make some
seats out of rails and billets of wood, and back up
your wagons, and we will extemporize a meeting-
house." And I struck up singing :
" Religion is a glorious treasure ;
It fills our hearts with joy and love."
Soon all were in a comfortable situation to hear
the Gospel of Jesus.
I announced as my subject, "Love ;" text, Eomans
xiii. 10: "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor;
therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law." I
arranged it thus: 1. What is "Love?" 2. Who
is in possession of it? 3. Its effects. As I pro-
ceeded, the audience increased till there was no
more sitting room — ^rails and wagons all full. I
stood in my carryall for a pulpit. When the noise
of carriages and wagons coming up interrupted,
I would sing a moment, and then go on again.
132 mOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
At length my big Dutch trustee friend arose from
the door-sill and cried out: "Holdt on, Domina.
I'll unshet de schule-house, un de vimmin and little
schildren may go in, and de mans and pigger poys
may stay as dey am." I said, "Thank you, Mr. B.
I knew you were a good neighbor, if we could
only get it out of you, and here it comes." So
we sang :
" From whence does this union arise,
That hatred is conquered by love ! "
In closing up my sermon I did not fail to
"improve" the circumstance in hand, making a
strong point of my stout Dutchman. This was the i
last of any trouble in that place as long as we held ;
meetings there. i
FABMA. 133
CHAPTEE X.
LEAVING ALABAMA ^PARMA.
/ I (he Church in Parma extended me a call to
-L become their pastor, in the fall of 1835. The
first thought of such a move did not impress me
favorably. It was here in Alabama I commenced
my ministry, and was ordained to the sacred work
of preaching Christ. I had enjoyed the confidence
of a noble young church. Many of its members I
had baptized and introduced into the body. I then
thought there was not another such church on the
face of the earth.
On the other hand, the church in Parma was
smaller and more compact. As a consequence,
they would not require as much pastoral work and
out-station preaching, giving me more time for
study ; which I much needed and could not easily
get in Alabama, with a field twelve miles square
and six out-stations. Parma had a good meeting-
house, and was considered a strong church. They
would give me a better support. I accepted the
invitation, and moved into the field in December.
134 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
But it took only a few weeks to prove to me that
I had not found the paradise I had anticipated.
I hope I shall not be misunderstood, or seem to
complain. By no means. There were excellent
men and women, not a few whose memory is
blessed. Eefreshing is it to call them up as they
appeared to us then, and if it were not that it
might appear inyidious, we would give their names.
A number of things made the contrast between the
two churches plainly visible, especially to a pastor :
first, the church at Parma was sIoav to move
out of the deep-worn ruts of bad habits — one
was to have but one meeting on the Sabbath. A
previous pastor had produced this custom, by
preaching one good^ long^ doctrinal, sound, orthodox,
Calvinistic, Baptistic sermon. The adjective "long"
meant, when practically translated, two hours.
Two hours of monotonous voice are equal to a dose
of opium.
My first efibrt was to break in upon this custom,
by having a second service in the school-house in a
central place. This would be Sabbath evening.
But as soon as I suggested it, I met opposition.
The main reason was, "TVe once tried it, and a class
of roughs came in, and so distm-bedthe meeting that
PAPULA.. 135
we had to give it up." "Well, will you come and
sustain the pastor by your presence and prayers ? I
think I can manage any rude and disorderly per-
sons." They finally consented that I should make
the appointment. I did so, and the next Sabbath
had the meeting at the L school-house.
Just as I had announced my subject, the door
opened, and in came about a dozen men and large
boys, with fantastic dress and most indescribable
faces and general appearance, for a civilized commu-
nity. Every seat being taken, they stood up around
the stove. Of course a general snicker, and then a
burst of laughter, arose through all the house. I
stopped and stood silent and still for a minute or
more, looking at these sons of the lost tribe of the
devil, for I could think of nothing else but some
infernal prison-house, and these as the product of
its general jail delivery. Some of the men were
dressed in women's clothing; others had broad
shirts over their outer garments. Others still had
small baskets on their heads instead of caps. Some
had leather and some rude tin spectacles. One had
a kitten for a handkerchief. He would take it from
his pocket and wipe his nose on it ; then pass it to
the next. One had a large sheepskin with the wool
136 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
on, through which he had a hole cut in the middle.
Thrusting his head through the hole, it came over
the upper part of his person like a shirt.
I said to some small boys in front, " Will you
please to give these friends your seats ? " They at
once complied and the group started forward and
occupied them. When quiet was restored, I
attempted to proceed with my discourse, but had gone
on only a very short time when one took the basket
from his head, put a few biscuits into it from his
pocket, then taking out a bottle, began passing it
around to his crew. I stopped and looked at them
with a steady gaze for a moment, and then addressed
the audience as follows: "Well, friends, I have
seen something of the world in its worst forms, and
humanity in its most forlorn and depraved condition.
I have been among stage drivers and sailors, among
lumbermen and raftsmen ; I have been among Indians
and plantation negroes, among drunkards and des-
peradoes. But what I have seen to-night caps the
climax. Here in Parma can be seen babboons and
monkeys, jackalls and ourang-outangs, and all walk
upright, just as the individuals of the human species
walk, and come to a Christian meeting to show that
they are not far removed from some idea of human
PARMA. 137
'intelligence. It may be they have come here to-
night for the noble purpose of seeking an interest
in the salvation of sinners. K so, let us pray that
God will enlighten them."
By this time deep silence pervaded the congrega-
tion. All was as still as a grave-yard. Each rowdy
looked at his fellow rowdy with blank astonishment,
when the leader got up and began saying, "I am
ashamed of myself and of my conduct, and now,
boys, let's behave like human beings, and I promise
this community and this minister that I will never
do the like again. And if you will not believe it
and take my word for it, I will give good security
for my behavior hereafter." This man J. H. was
outwardly a moral fellow, and his wife was a member
of the church ; yet he had let himself down to the
idea that it was smart to act like a fool. And the
boys thought it a privilege to act the fool under such
a leader. But this was the last disturbance at the
L. school house.
During this winter and spring I enjoyed a precious
revival, and was assisted for a number of days by
that able preacher, the Eev. Ichabod Clark, D. D.,
of sweet memory, and Rev. Zenas Case, of Ogden,
whose praise was in all the churches as a man of
God.
138 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
In the spring, I organized our Sunday School under
a new management, and made a change also in the
order of our worship, having two sermons at the meet-
ing-house instead of one. But the old settled habit
of the church was a wet blanket on the enterprise.
They would have opposed a second service of any
kind, a prayer and praise meeting much more than
a preaching service. As soon as the sermon was
well under way, the next thing in order was sleep.
This was bad habit number two. As soon as the
morning service was over, there was a general start
for home, parents taking the children. So the Sab-
bath School service was small comparatively, and the
afternoon was sparsely attended, plenty of empty
slips at a discount.
But I prayed for patience to endure all things for
the elect's sake. And we had many sympathizing
friends in the church who stayed up our hands in the
day of battle. Among the number was the widow
of the late pastor, Rev. Stephen H. Weaver.
Here let it be remarked, that if a church is so
fortunate as to have such a widow of a pastor as a
member, every effort ought to be made to render
her stay in the church and her widowhood as
protracted as possible. For, of all helpers to a
PARMA. 139
pastor, if he is married, the widow of a former
pastor may he the most helpful. There is a
difference m widows ; I wish to have it understood.
A widow of a pastor, she being a widow indeed, and
moreover, an unselfish Christian, is a bright jewel in
any church. Such know more than any one else
about the real character of the different members,
and they get at the very gist of the difficulties in the
way of the cause. They have gone through the
whole round of the life of the church, and are now
living in an exalted sort of existence, where their
vision is unclouded with personal feeling. Such
widows of former pastors are a sort of presiding
angel band to the churches. Very occasionally there
is a slight deviation from this angelic rule. Once in
a great while there is a great deviation.
But Mrs. Weaver was one of the desirable kind.
She said : "Brother Stimson, don't let these things
trouble you so. It will injure your health and unfit
you for labor in the future. I think it affected Mr.
Weaver so, and was one of the causes of his early
death.*' This was a sort of "bittersweet" consolation
to my restive spirit, and I tried to make the applica-
tion as best I could. That word was a godsend
to me.
140 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
As I remarked, the unholy custom of sleeping in
church had been brought on imperceptibly, by long,
monotonous sermons of a previous age, and had been
imbibed by the younger people by force of example.
One sinner destroyeth much good, was illustrated in
this case. I resolved on a reform by mild means,
such as short sermons, brief reading, singing two to
four stanzas — some of the hymns had twenty — short
prayers, and then a sudden start right off with the
discourse — ^no apologies. Apologies are bad, espe-
cially in the pulpit. But all this strategy failed, and
I was irritated like a hornet in a spider's web : plenty
of fluttering and buzzing and trying to sting, but
nothing accomplished. "Caught," I thought, "and
how to get away is the question."
At length we hit upon a new expedient. The
chorister of the church, a brother S., was a grand
singer ; his two daughters sang like nightingales, and
his son was capital on the bass viol. I called on him
one Saturday, and made this request : that the next
day at the morning service, he and his daughters
should arise at any time during the sermon that I
should think best, and sing the hymn :
"Awake, my soul, in joyful lays,'*
PAEMA. 141
There must be no pitching of the key, no bass viol,
but a prompt start, right off, like a steamboat. He
consented, and I retired to the study, to arrange for
the new tack on the sleepers. I arranged two ser-
mons. One from Isaiah lii. 1, *' Awake, awake, put
on thy strength, O Zion." The second was from
Matt. xxvi. 45, "Sleep on now, and take your rest."
So after the preliminary exercises of the morning,
I started out on the former text, "Awake, awake,"
etc., quite moderately, in a measured tone, making
a statement of the importance of the church being
awake, in an active state of spiritual enjoyment, etc.
I had proceeded only about ten minutes, when in all
parts of the house, in the galleries and below, could
be seen heads thrown back and eyes closed, others
nodding, and still others with heads too devoutly
bowed on the railing in front of them. I stopped
short : "Will brother S. sing two or three verses of
a hymn while we look up another text, as we see
the one we have is not appropriate this morning?"
And off the singing went : "Awake, my soul," in a
good, lively manner.
The whole congregation was like a miniature
resurrection ; men snatching up their hats, women
adjusting their shawls, others rubbing their eyes as
142 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
if to discover the situation, and some taking out their
watches to see what time it was. And still the sing-
ing went on to the fourth stanza :
" Soon shall I pass the gloomy vale,
Soon all my mortal powers shall fail."
When the singing ceased, I called their attention
to the other text: "Sleep on now, and take your
rest." The most of them had thought meeting was
out, and were very reluctant about sitting down
again, and still were unwilling to leave without the
benediction; and so, quietly and deliberately took
their seats, while I explained the reason for the
second subject, and announced the following order :
1. Why this liberty? 2. The bad influence of
sleepy Christians. 3. The application of the subject
to our present condition.
I have always felt somewhat gratified with the
reflection that at least one discourse of mine in Parma
was listened to without a sleepy Christian in the
house. Twenty years after, I went back to assist
their pastor in a meeting, and many referred to that
sermon as the cause of their resolving never to sleep
again in the house of worship
It is now a sweet reflection, after nearly forty years
PARMA. 143
are passed, that many of them have "fallen asleep in
Jesus," waiting for that delightful morning of the
resurrection of the just, which God will hasten in His
time. Then, blessed thought, there will be no more
slumbering.
The following tenth day of November, I buried
the wife of my youth.
OBITUARY.
Died at Parma, New York, on the tenth day of November, eighteen
hundred and thirty-six, Mrs. Almedia Stimson, wife of Rev. H. K.
Stimson, aged twenty-eight years.
Mrs. Stimson first embraced religion and united with the Baptist
church at East Mendon, Morris Co., N. Y., in the fall of eighteen
hundred and thirty. During her short and unostentatious career, she
honored her Christian profession by a consistent walk, a cheerful con-
secration of herself to the service of the saints and a ready co-operation
in the various measures connected with the advancement of the
Kingdom of Christ.
During a protracted illness she bore her sufferings with Christian
meekness and patience, and the latter part of her time, with confidence
of hope, often observing that death would be a welcome messenger.
"When the period of her dissolution approached, and her exhausted
frame sunk under the chilling dews of death, she requested her hus-
band to bid her friends farewell for her, and as if longing to depart,
exclaimed: "Come, Lord Jesus; come quickly I" and with these
words fell asleep.
Thus another servant is dismissed from the field of toil, and gone to
rest. A husband with four small children survives to mourn his early
loss. May he have the sympathies of his brethren, and what is
infinitely more, the favor of Him whose grace can irradiate the darkest
scenes, and make us joyful even in tribulation.
WiLLARD JUDD.
144 FROM THE STAGE COAGH TO THE PULPIT.
The same month, I received a call to become
pastor of the church in Bethany, Genesee County,
New York. The Baptist church in Bethany was
then one of the strong churches in the Genesee
Association, with one of the best church edifices in
Western New York. Its membership was composed
of the best and the most respected portion of the
community. Its congregation was large, and made
up mostly of the young people of the toAvn, with a
complete choir of singers led by James Prescott, for
years a man of blessed memory.
After an acquaintance of a few weeks, I accepted
their call, and at once felt at home among them.
There was but one drawback to produce discontent-
ment. My family was broken up, my dear children
were scattered in three different families, all in
Parma. I was fortunate in getting them good
places, where I was confident they would receive all
the care dear friends could render. Still they were
motherless and homeless, and absent from father;
and I felt my separation from them. Still, every-
thing was done by the congregation to make my
situation pleasant and my ministry effective, as
results will show.
There were evidences at once of a Divine work
PAKMA. 145
all over the town. The three congregations of the
place joined in a series of meetings, commencing
with the Baptist church, and holding there twenty-
eight days ; and then at the Presbyterian as long.
All winter there was a continued refreshing of the
Spirit, in which large numbers of the youth, and
many of the aged, were hopefully led to embrace
Jesus as their Prophet, Priest and King. Just a
little unpleasantness was felt because so many of
the converts joined the Baptist church. Out of one
hundred, about eighty were baptized in the likeness
of Christ's death and resurrection, and joined our
church.
For all this I was not to blame. I never prose-
lyted. Only I could not turn those away who
voluntarily offered themselves. This was a prosper-
ous year to the church, in more than one sense.
It was a year of numerical growth among the mem-
bers, and it paved the way for subsequent advance-
ment upon the powers of darkness, and made the
people ready in every way for greater things to
come.
Late in the fall, I began to be depressed in spirit
about the condition of sinners who were without
hope and out of Christ. So deep and constant was
146 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
the distress, that I could not sleep or enjoy my
daily food. And, what added to the acuteness of
this state of mind, was the fact that the church did
not seem to realize its responsibility. After receiving
the tokens of God's matchless goodness during the
year now passed, there was a singular lack of deep
anxiety for sinners. There were no divisions among
us ; no heart-burnings between brethren ; congrega-
tions large and attentive to the Word and Ordinances
of God; still, sinners, unmoved by the truth,
perished.
Thus things went on until the last of November
or first of December, when my depression in spirit
became almost intolerable, and it was with great
effort that I could get my consent to preach ; and
when I did, it seemed like speaking against a strong
wmd, only to be blown back upon me. I thought
the time had come to close my connection with the
church at Bethany, if not to close my ministry
altogether. While in this state of mind, I had an
appointment at an out-station called "White's
school-house" for Sabbath evening. The night was
dark, and a drizzling rain set in just as I started
from home. This, added to my already darkened
and dampened spirits, made everything appear beyond
PARMA. 147
endurance, and I was wholly unhappy and unfit to
preach.
As I had gone along, I concluded that, as it was
rainy and dark, there would be few or none
at meeting, and I should be relieved of the duty of
trying to address the people. But as I got within
hearing distance, the voice of singing greeted my
ears, and as I neared the house, I saw that it was
jammed full. I exclaimed, in the bitterness of my
soul, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken
me?" As quick as thought, "There, that is a good
text to preach from; try it, try it to-night." I
thought to myself, "'VYhere is it? No matter where
it is, try it. They are the dying words of Jesus on
the cross." I hitched my horse and went in, to
find the large congregation composed mostly of
youth. I called on Brother Russell Morley, who
was a man of power with God, to pray. But I got
no light or relief, only a constant ringing in my
ears, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken
me?"
I asked them to sing the hymn beginning :
" »Tis a point I long to know ,
Oft it causes anxious thought;
Do I love the Lord, or no ?
Am I his, or am I not?
148 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
(There may be special occasions when the singing
of these lines is of some benefit to some one.)
They sang it through, many with subdued voices.
I could not sing at all. All was dark as midnight
with me. An awful dread weighed upon me as the
time drew near. As I arose and repeated the
words of the dying Son of God, I made these
impromptu divisions : 1st. Why God forsook His
beloved Son. 2d. Why He will forsake impenitent
sinners. And on I went in the dark. Oh, that
darkness I shall never forget ! Perhaps I talked
thirty minutes or more, and closed the meeting as
though it had been a funeral, and went home, all
but determined not to preach any more.
The next Thursday was the dedication of the
Presbyterian meeting-house, in which services I
was invited to take a part. K I could have declined
I would ; but could not without giving offense. So
I went as the ox is led to the slaughter, and
remained in great distress of mind. As the meeting
closed, I hastened out to go to my home, but while
on the steps of the house, a young lady touched
my elbow in the crowd, and as I turned about to
see just who it was, I discovered a Miss Evaline T.,
who said : "I would like to talk with you a few
PARMA. 149
minutes, Elder, if it would be convenient." I
replied, "Certainly." She then went on to say:
" Your sermon last Sunday night has brought me to
see myself as a lost sinner, and this morning I
found peace in believing in Jesus ; and I wished to
see and tell you and everybody that God, for
Christ's sake, has forgiven my sins." I at once felt
light breakiug in upon my mmd like a sunburst in a
dark day. I said, "Well, Miss T., I rejoice with
you ; come, go to my house, and tell Mrs. Stimson
of it. She will be glad to hear of your joy and
conversion to Jesus." As we came into the parlor,
I said: "Wife, here is Miss T., who has good
tidings of great joy to tell you ;" and she went on
and repeated the simple story of her conviction and
conversion. "Now," I said, "I have one request to
make of you. Next Lord's day, at the close of my
discourse in the morning, I want you to tell the
congregation what Christ the Lord has done for
you." -She replied, "O, I shall be most happy to
do so."
I well knew the effect it would have, for she was
a proud and giddy girl. All her family were of a
like stripe. Her father prided himself on their
pleasure-seeking habits. The father and daughters,
150 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
being good singers, generally sat in the gallery.
Sabbath came, and a large congregation filled the
house. As I entered, I thought it was like Israel's
Bethel, "None other than the house of God and
gate of Heaven." " God is here.'' The text was
Isaiah li. 3 : "And he will make her wilderness
like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the
Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein,
thanksgiving and the voice of melody."
I felt like another man, and all the church seemed
transformed into a better state of religious life. As
soon as I closed my talk. Miss T. rose up in her
place in the gallery, and poured out a full soul of
joy, and then of invitation to her young associates
in sin to come to Jesus and be saved. It was like a-
shock of electricity on saints and sinners. In a few
days I baptized the father, mother, Evaline, Emily,
Roscoe, Clarence and Dell.
Now, our work had assumed such proportions
that I felt the need of aid. So I resolved to get an
early start for LeRoy, nine miles ofi", and get Brother
Ichabod Clark to come over and help us. I arrived
before any of the family was up. As he opened the
door, he exclaimed : " Why, Brother Stimson,
what brought you here so early in the morning?"
PARMA. 151
"The Lord," I replied. "Well, then, lam glad to
have you come. Take a seat, and I will stir up a
fire." "I have come after you, Brother Clark, and
you must go with me to Bethany, 'for the Lord hath
need of thee.'" I went on to tell him what the
Master was doing among us, and he replied, "We
will see after breakfast."
So, after the meal and devotions, we went to his
study. He began by saying: "Now, Brother
H. K. , I could go to Bethany if it was duty to do
so. But God has manifested himself to your
people by his Spirit in a most wonderful way, and
you and your church, under His guiding hand and
Spirit's influence, are all the help you need. Now,
go home and hold on to Jesus by prayer, and do
not go after any minister or man. I will pray for
you, but can't go." Anybody that ever knew
Ichabod Clark can imagine with what decision he
said this.
I thought it a "bitter pill," and went home to my
work with less confidence in self or any man, but
with stronger confidence in God and the Spirit's
power to carry on the revival.
During the progress of the gracious work, there
was not a little agitation in some quarters on the
152 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
subject of baptism. A Dr. J. K. B. was quite
zealous in opposing the ordinance as we administer
it, and, as they admit, is Scriptural. Whenever
a chance occurred, he would improve it. He had
been a "head-center" in one of the churches in
town for a number of years, and was chagrined to
see the Baptists prospering, while his own denomi-
nation had run down to such an extent that the
meeting-house was sold for a school-house. He
was one day called on to attend a family profession-
ally, for he was an M. D. There were a number
of ladies from the neighborhood present, but none
of them Baptists, except one old lady from New
England, a Mrs. P. She was seated quietly in the
comer. Some of the women asked the Doctor how
the revival was progressing in the "Center." He
replied, "Oh, they are going on as watery as ever.
I expect we shall have a great time of sickness this
spring, as that pale-faced Stimson is dipping them
every Sunday in the creek, cutting the ice and
wading through the deep snow, enough to kill an
Indian. Half of them will have the consumption in
less than a year. As for Stimson, he won't live till
April, the way he is going on. I wish there was
some law to stop this foolish waste of human life."
PAEMA. 153
Mother P., who had heard it all, conceived that
he had spoken disrespectfully of her pastor, and
interrupted him in his tirade by saying : "Doctor,
I don't like to hear you talk so about our dear
minister. We all think he is a good man, and the
Lord is manifestly blessing his labors here in
Bethany and all around us." The Doctor interrupted
her with : "Oh, Mrs. P., I did not think you were a
Baptist when I spoke. Beg your pardon, madam.
I have not a word to say against Elder Stimson.
He is a good neighbor, and as social, friendly a man
as we have at the ^Center.* I was only saying.
Mother P., that I thought it imprudent for him to
be going into the water this cold weather in the
winter, exposing himself and others." She replied :
"Well, Doctor, we Baptists believe this to be the
right way, as Jesus went into the water and the
eunuch went into the water to be 'baptized;' and
then young converts are always so happy when they
come up out of the water. I know I was when I
was 'baptized,' and it was a cold day too, and it
never hurt me a bit." "Oh, nonsense," says the
Doctor; "I was happy when I was baptized, and I
was not immersed, either."
"Well, doctor, du tell me your experience about
154 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
that, for in Connecticut I have seen a great many
sprinkled, grown-up people and babies too, and I
never heard any express a bit of joy — no more than
they would at a funeral. Come, now, du jest tell
us all about it." "Well, mother P., it was on this
wise : My parents had neglected to have me bap-
tized when a child. I was a young man when I
thought I'd better join the church. So we all went
down to the little brook, one bright June morning,
and/ ivent down into the water ^ mother P., and
kneeled down, and the minister dipped up some
water in his hand and poured it on my head, saying,
'Jonathan K. B., I baptize you in the name of the
Father,' and my heart dilated with joy ; and then he
dipped his hand in again and poured the water on
my head, and said, *and in the name of the Son,'
and I was so happy I thought the very heavens
would open ; and then the minister dipped his hand
the third time in the water, and poured it on my
head, and said, * in the name of the Holy Ghost ;' and
I was so filled with joy that I felt that I should go
up through the clouds." "Why, du tell, doctor," —
the old lady was looking him full in the face — " du
tell, doctor; if you had gone in all over as we
Baptists do, what would have become of you?"
PAKMA. 155
All joined in a hearty laugh at the doctor's ex-
pense. The old lady's logical conclusion was more
than equal to his trumped up wit. As soon as I
heard of it, I called on the doctor to know about '
how much he had made oflf mother. His reply was :
"Not much."
The revival went on in grand majesty, clear into
August of that year. The church was edified, and
much people was added to the Lord.
The Genesee Baptist Association was then among
the largest in Western New York, and had as effi-
cient a class of ministers as could be found in any
part of the land. But few of them had what is called
a liberal education, but they were men of great
common sense, and of deep piety. And those among
them that had enjoyed the advantages of a classical
and theological training, did not assume that they
knew all ; that their brethren of less advantages knew
little or nothing. But there was a mutual disposi-
tion to help, among the two classes of the precious
brotherhood. The learned always gladly and frater-
nally instructed and advised the younger and less
learned. Criticism was not given in an officious,
offensive way, but always with a kindliness that
156 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
evinced the spirit of love and good will. It was also
received in the same spirit of fraternal affection.
So in their labors. If the interests in one part
of the Association demanded help from outside, the
field brethren would go and stay one, two and four
weeks at a time. Thus a familiar and happy state
of feeling was kept up. Our associational conferences
were great sources of instruction and help to the
youthful ministers. As for myself, they were a real
theological school in which I received lessons of
great usefulness in our practical pastoral work, and
in preaching the Gospel to my people.
In many cases they were also sources of spiritual
profit to the churches where they were held. The
members would come out and fill the house day and
night. They were not cold, formal convocations,
presided over by the spirit of ministerial etiquette
and dead formality. We had no "D. D." among us
then as we knew of. And yet we had, if it means
teacher of Divine Truth. If it ever had any mean-
ing, that's it. We were not slaves of technical,
parliamentary rules. We were constrained chiefly
by the loyal law of love. The motto of aU seemed
to be, "Work much; love much."
The decay of the old fashioned Associational
PAEMA. 157
meeting is certainly to be regretted. Whatever
may have led to this decay, I do not pretend to say ;
but of its fact and calamity, there can be no ques-
tion. Even young men can remember the time
when the "Association" meant much more than it
does to-day, and they deplore it — at least some of
them — as well as we whose steps are nearing our
resting place. I am told by some apologists of the
change, that this is an age of steam and electricity,
and that everything is changed in consequence.
That may be the cause ; if it is, the fact is just as
much to be regretted. For we cannot love each
other by steam and electricity. They may be good
in their places, but they can never take the place of
fraternity. As a substitute for the old methods of
conveyance, and intelligence even, they do not work
to the increase of our religious gatherings. When
the travel was by wagon and horseback, the breth-
ren would come together from a wider circle of
country than now, and the place would be filled
with the people and with the presence of the Master.
It may be we have outgrown the necessity for such
religious gatherings. It may be that they belong
to a past age, and cannot be revived in their primi-
tive power. If so, I am glad that I, too, belong to
158 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
a former generation. All these inventions having in
view quicker transit and more general intelligence,
are good and to be sought for, provided they are
used for God and His Truth, But if they are not
used by us for this noble end, their materialistic
influence will creep into our spirits and deaden them
to higher spiritual things. "The earth" must be
made to help "the woman."
Perhaps I should give a list of these ministers
then in the Genesee Association. Many of them
have passed away. I will mark such with a * :
Joseph Elliott,* of Wyoming; Ichabod Clark,* of
LeRoy; W. W. Smith, of Batavia; William
Arthur, of Perry ; Abraham Annis,* of Warsaw ;
Jesse Elliott, of LaGrange ; James Read,* of
Castile; O. D. Taylor, of Attica; Leonard Anson,*
of Pine Hill; Martain Coleman,* of Byron; Elon
Galusha,* of Perry ; B. N. Leach,* of Middlebury ;
Harrison Daniels, of LeRoy; H. B. Ewell, of
Pavillion ; R. C. Palmer, of Wyoming ; Bela
Wilcox,* of Darien; I. H. Roscoe, of Pembrok;
David Taylor, of York; C. M. Fuller,* of Pike;
John Trowbridge, of Wethersfield Springs ; S. M.
Stimson, of Batavia ; Augustus Warren, of Alabama ;
W. I. Crane, of Middlebury; Emery Curtis, of
PARMA. 159
Morganville ; S. A. Esty,* of Batavia, and James
Mallory.
There may be others whom I have failed to
recollect. Here are twenty-six, and just one-half
have gone to the better land. Thirteen, besides
myself, remain. The most of them are younger
than myself, three or four are older. Those of the
above number, who enjoyed a partial or a full course
of study, also number thirteen. Only three, I
believe, had received a full course at college.
At our ministerial conferences, we had the custom
of giving out subjects for essays, exegeses and
sketches of sermons, purely for the sake of mutual
improvement — a good plan, wherever it is practiced.
The young ministers were recommended to write
sermons and deliver them to their congregations,
and then bring them to the conference for criticism.
Among other young men to whom was assigned this
part was myself. I begged to be excused, as I was
not in the habit of writing sermons. But no excuse
was allowed, and it was urged it would improve me
in composition and the arrangement of sermons.
And, then, I would have three long months in
which to prepare. So I reluctantly accepted the
situation, and as soon as I got home I set myself
about my task.
160 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
First, I got me a quantity of sermon paper.
Second, I had to find a text. I chose Jonah iii. 2 :
"Arise, go unto Mneveh, that great city, and preach
unto it the preaching that I bid thee." Third, I
commenced writing. I went on awhile, and then
tore it up and put it in the fire ; began again, and
then quit ; and after a month's work on it, had got a
short introduction that I was not willing even my
wife should read, and did not like to look at it
myself a great while at a time. Went on again at
odd spells, and the second month was nearly out
and I had not finished up ^^ firstly J* I tried to hurry
up, and the more I hurried the slower the thing
went. I began to be worried. Time was short,
and I was a slow writer, that was evident. I now
resolved to double my diligence and put the thing
through by daylight and lamplight. The Saturday
night before the conference, about midnight, I
wrote that expressive word, "^men." As the rule
was to read it, or preach it, to my own congregation
before I presented it to the body for whom it was
principally prepared, I hid the ^reczows thing in my
overcoat and started for the meeting-house. While
the choir was singing the first hymn, I removed the
document from my coat pocket to the Bible. I got
PARMA. 161
a deacon to pray, for I dare not. The choir sang
the hymn :
" Oh, for a thousand tongues to sing
My dear Redeemer's praise."
I read my text, and just at that moment a tall
brother up in the gallery stretched up his long neck
to see what I was about, and I lost my place by
turning over two leaves at once. By that time fifty
eyes were gazing from each side of the gallery, with
a silent wonder, "what is the matter with the
minister?" I then re-read the text; but, "no go."
I got out of my ^x by saying : "K the Lord had
called me to preach. He never had intimated in the
call that I should read my sermons." On which I
laid the precious efiusion one side, went about
preaching as usual, from the same text, and had a
good time. I related the facts to the Association,
and the brethren very kindly excused us, and never
appointed us to read a sermon again. We make no
war on written sermons, but, as they say out West^
they are not our "best holt."
162 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER XI.
A TRIAL OF OPEN COMMUNION.
IN the town of Bethany was a "Free Will Baptist
church," of quite a large membership. This
same great revival had extended into their families
extensively. Their children had a strong prefer-
ence for our services. Already a few adults had
joined with us recently from the F. W. church, as
our chorister and his family, and one of our deacons,
had joined us from them some years before. But
still the objection existed in the minds of many of
these youth to that great bug-bear, close communion.
For some cause, they had become alienated from the
"Free Church," as it was called, and did not want
to join there. So here they stood. The subject
was discussed in private circulars, and ministers
were imported into town who encompassed (if not
sea and land) every school district at least, and the
"war-whoop" was heard on every hand, "close
A. TRIAL OF OPEN COMMUNION. 163
I kept about the Master's work, taking no con-
spicuous part in this side issue, as we were quite
confident the Baptist church in Bethany could live
with Divine help, if these persons did not unite with
us. Still, the door was open — the doors of a true
church are always open. No minister has the power
to open them. Jesus Christ openeth, and no man
shutteth ; and shutteh, and no man openeth. And
they could come in if they would.
At a covenant meeting with a full attendance, and
when many were presenting themselves as candi-
dates for baptism, and all were in a high state of
religious enjoyment, a prominent member of the
church arose and moved "that the pastor be
instructed to invite to the Lord's table, all such
Christians as had been immersed on a profession of
their faith, and were in good standing in evangelical
churches." His motion was at once seconded. All
was as still as a dark cellar. The old men and
women of the church appeared to be "dumfounded."
The brother who made the motion was a man of
large influence in the community and in the church,
as was the brother who sustained the motion. I
suggested, "Brethren, this is an important step.
Let us move cautiously in the matter. If any
164 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
brother or sister has any remarks to make, use yom*
liberty and speak freely. Due deference will be
paid to your views and feelings." Not a word was
spoken. All silent. "Brethren, what will you
do?" "Question," "Question," from a number.
"Are you ready for the motion?" "The question
is called for." And the vote was carried without a
single negative. Eighty voted for it.
The result was, these "Free Will" friends came
into the church like a flock of sheep over a stone
w^all, scared by wolves on the other side. "The
after clap " : The church was like the boy who
drew the elephant : no hay to feed him on — ^no stable
to put him in. Decidedly a big thing on our hands.
The next day we baptized thirty-three, and at the
communion, followed the instructions given by the
church in Bethany (not so strictly those in our
commission from the Lord) .
Eighty-four came to the Supper from the Presby-
terian, Methodist, and Free Will Baptist congre-
gations, and two from the Universalists. They said
"they had been dipped; and thought the Univer-
salists were evangelical." (Our elephant began to
bellow for food, and not a lock of hay to give him.)
The next month at the Lord's Supper, there came
i
A TRIAL OF OPEN COMMUNION. 165
thirty-one. At the third, thirteen of the invited
guests. At the fourth, five. (Our big animal gave
signs of falling into a decline.) At the end of eight
months, none of our invited guests cared to take
the trouble to commune with us. (He had died a
natural death.)
The church soon rescinded the motion by an
overwhelming majority, and voted to give letters to
all discontents. Five took letters. Three of them
went to the "Free Wills," and two to the devil.
(The elephant was buried.)
[A few Pedobaptists, like Dr. John Hall of New
York, have the magnanimity to accept the statement
of the communion question as we Baptists put it.
Which is the more bigoted? The "bigotry" to hold
conscientiously to a valid principle, if it is unpopular,
or the practice of ignoring the issue we make, and
raising an issue wholly foreign to the question, that
we do not make ? If it isn't bigotry or dishonesty to
talk as many Pedobaptists talk on this communion
question, as related to the Baptist practice, it is great
ignorance and stupidity. ("We use great plainness
of speech.") In no sense is the communion a test
of Christianity. To say that by our practice we
"unchristianize" other denominations, is most absm-d.
It is too puerile to deserve refutation, especially as
it has been refuted from time immemorial. But
Pedobaptists, we are inclined to believe, feel the
real point of our protest against their practice much
166 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
oftener than they are ready to admit. The issue is
the baptismal question, and they must know it, if
they stop to think a moment. They are not confi-
dent generally, in their practice of sprinkling and
pouring for baptism. Our protest against this dis-
turbs them. If we admitted their practice as Scrip-
tural on the question of baptism, they wouldn't care
enough about our communion to say a word on the
subject. — Ed.]
Dr. Hall says in his recent book, entitled,
Questions of the Day:^^
* Close communion,' that is, tlie restriction of the Lord's table to
those who have been baptized in the way held by the denomination,
is being assailed by many in the interests of catholicity. Whether the
assailants act wisely or kindly in that matter, or not, is an open
question. It is a course of doubtful catholicity to raise a popular cry
against a most valuable body of people, who honestly defend and
consistently go through with, what they deem an important principle ;
and more particularly when they have some little internal embarrass-
ment on the subject. Our love for the brethren should include, surely,
the Baptist brethren.
' Charity suflfereth long and is kind.' And it is doubtful if, consid-
ering the lengths to which liberal ideas have been carried in the
country, there be not some gain to the community as a whole from a
large denomination making a stand at a particular point, and reminding
their brethren that there are church matters which we are not bound,
are not even at liberty to settle according to the popular demand, as
we should settle the route of a railroad.
Equally candid and unusual are the remarks of
the Interior, of Chicago, one of the ablest
Presbyterian papers of the country :
"We ask at the hands of our sister denominations the liberty to
execute our own laws, to know our own theology, and to manage our
A TRIAL OF OPEN COMMUNION. 167
affairs, without being made the subjects of ungenerous criticism. And
this which we ask for ourselves, we very freely accord to others. The
difference between our Baptist brethren and ourselves is an important
difference. We agree with them, however, in saying that unbaptized
persons should not partake of the Lord's Supper. Their views compel
them to believe that we are not baptized, and shut them up to close
communion. Close communion, in our judgment, is a more defensible
position than open communion, which is justified on the ground that
baptism is not pre-requisite to the partaking of the Lord's Supper.
To chide Baptists with bigotry because they abide by the logical
consequences of their system is absurd. We think that they are wrong
in reference to the mode and subjects of baptism, and should not hesi-
tate to take ground against their interpretation, but we would not be
silent about the interpretation, and then charge them with bigotry for
a consistent adherence to their interpretation.
168 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT,
CHAPTER Xn.
AN OLD SORE — SECOND WIDOWHOOD.
ON opposite sides of a narrow street in Bethany,
lived two neighbors, who were also brethren in
the Baptist church. They were also wealthy, one of
them the richest man in the church. They had never
lived in peace with each other. Their chief quarrel,
which became chronic, was about "line fences," and
where the water should flow, that the Lord sent in
showers on their large landed estates. And then,
on all the matters of common dealing, and they are
numerous in a rural neighborhood as was ours, there
was no real agreement. But the influence of the
almost continued revival for four years, had kept the
thing in check, so that no serious eruption was visible
until 1839-40, when the thing assumed such an aggra-
vated form that "catnip tea" or "poppy-blow leaves
made into a poultice," would not cure or ^ven ease
the pain. (Both the patients suffered terribly. So
did the patience of those who had anything to do
with them.) The whole community was cognizant
AN OLD SOKE. 169
of the unhappy state of affairs in the Baptist church :
so much so that it was talked of in all circles. Men
of the world would throw it in our teeth on the
street and in public places. The church had made
a number of efforts to conciliate them, and in some
way settle their difficulty permanently. But all in
vain.
A medical council was held. Dr. Discipline and
Dr. Chairman of the Committee reported the case
incurable, and the moral constitution so impaired
that amputation had become necessary, to arrest the
spread of gangrene through the whole body. Mr.
Outside said, if we did cut off these excrescences,
we should be prosecuted for malpractice. Mr.
World said, we cannot take them into our infirmary
without bonds well-secured for good behavior. That
of course we could not give, knowing the cases in
hand.
Thus the thing stood for months, and we were
afraid the disease would become a contagion; and
so we proposed to leave the situation to other
parties, if something was not done speedily, to save
the body by prompt surgical operation. So a day
was appointed, and the doctors and the nurses, with
their bandages and lint and bottles of lotions and
170 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
all-healing ointments, came together. The patients
came, and the operating table was brought out. As
Man-order-of-the-day , I tried to magnify my office
and not give offense to either the body in health or
the affected members. The doctors had decided to
operate on one at a time, meantime giving the other
an opium pill. After cutting awhile and bandaging —
the dullness of the instruments having much to do
with his flouncing — the amputation was safely
effected; and the night coming on, the other case
was postponed indefinitely.
A singular sort of delirium set in, during which
the patient made me the sole object of his spleen,
turning away altogether from the one with whom he
had had such frequent and unholy conflicts. The
church had peace as a consequence of this necessary
action ; but I had none. Wealth and family rela-
tions did all that could be done to make my situation
uncomfortable, and to hinder my usefulness.
Here it might be remarked, that the devil is more
devilish in a Baptist church than anywhere else.
The freedom given the individual in this Church
fosters both the growth of the graces in true
Christians, and develops the satanic traits in the
human devils who creep into the fold. The most
AN OLD SOKE. 171
execrable specimens, most filled with unadulterated,
cunning devilishness, of the genus Christian that we
ever met with or heard of in an evangelical church,
we have "seen and handled" in a Baptist church.
The only principle on which you can account for
the continued presence of such satanic hirelings in
an otherwise good and peaceful and devoted church,
even against repeated protests, sometimes formally
made, is this from Holy Writ, that "whom the
Lord loveth He chasteneth."
[No Roman Inquisition is equal in diabolical inge-
nuity of torture to these "sons of Belial" in some of
their practices, especially invented for the destruc-
tion of the peace and usefulness of pastor and church.
Get rid of such characters, if they own half the king-
dom ; and when out once, keep them out. — Ed.]
It is said that trouble never comes single-handed.
Just at this juncture, when this man was trying me
with all the arts of wicked cunning, my dear wife
sickened and died. of consumption, leaving me the
second time in sad widowhood. We had been
married less than three years. My children were
yet small, and, in addition to the four left by my
first wife, my second wife left a daughter eleven
months old;
172 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
In 1837, I was married to Miss Loretta M.,
daughter of Dr. Isaac Olney.* She was at this time
a teacher in a select school at Sodus, Wayne
county, New York.
The following obituary was written on her death :
Died— On the 22d day of May, 1840, at Bethany, Genesee county,
New York, Sister Loretta M. Stimson, wife of Elder H. K. Stimson,
in the 28th year of her age.
In her death, Zion has lost one of her warmest friends, her husband
an affectionate wife, and her children a careful and tender mother.
In her case, there was a most striking exemplification of the power
and efficacy of Divine grace, in causing the soul to triumph in the
prospect and pangs of death. It may truly be said of her, that in
health she was amiable and devout, in sickness patient and submissive,
and in death peaceful and triumphant. The funeral was attended by
a numerous concourse of people, all of whom seemed to feel that in
the departure of the deceased they had sustained a great loss.
The occasion was improved by Elder I. Clark, D. D., of LeKoy, in
an appropriate and impressive discourse from Phil. i. 21 : " For to
me to live is Christ, but to die is gain." "
This is the second time that Brother Stimson has been thus bereaved,
and he is now left with five small children and other dear relatives to
mourn the loss.
While thus sorely and repeatedly afflicted, we would bespeak the
prayers and sympathy of the Christian community in his behalf.
* Dr. Olney was a graduate of the medical college at Fairfield, New
York. In the war of 1812 he was a surgeon in the United States
army, under the command of Gen. Brown, and stationed at Sackett's
Harbor. Soon after the close of the war, he moved to Parma, New
York, and commenced the practice of his profession, which he followed
until his death, which occurred in 1832, leaving his family of six
children, five daughters and one son, to the care of his widow. Dr.
Olney was a Christian gentleman and highly respected by all who
knew him, and esteemed as a physician and surgeon of great skill.
All his children became teachers.
AN OLD SORE. 173
Ah I dear Loretta, whither art thou gone?
And what thy state, and who thy partner now?
Ah I tell me, dost thou dwell alone ?
Or with the heavenly myriads bow?
My dearest husband, Heaven's now my resting place ;
Joy is my state and Christ my partner here ;
He takes me in His near embrace,
And makes me His peculiar care.
O. D. Taylor.
The following lines were composed by Mrs.
Loretta Stimson, May 13th, 1840 :
How glorious is our God,
Who sent His Son to die,
That we. His creatures, full of sliii
Might reign above the sky.
He sends His love to me.
In times of sorest need
He will His good bestow on thee,
If it of Him thou plead.
In the autumn of 1840, by the advice of the
ministers and others of our Association, I devoted
the winter to labor among the churches in holding
meetings with the pastors, and supplying destitute
churches for a longer or shorter time. There were
great revivals at Batavia, Attica and West Mid-
dlebury.
174 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER Xm.
EVANGELIZING. PASTORATE AT WARSAW.
SAVING resigned my pastorate at Bethany, I
accepted a call from the church at Warsaw,
Wyoming County, New York, and in April, 1841,
began my pastoral work tinder the most forbidding
circumstances I had ever experienced in eleven
years as a pastor. They had been a large and
efficient body, but divisions and bad management
had reduced them in numbers and spirituality. The
singular, unpardonable whim of having their house
of worship a full half mile from where it ought to
be, for the mere sake of having it on a hill, also
operated most injuriously, as might be known on
general principles. What with distance and bad
sidewalks, the congregations were of course small.
Talmage or Spurgeon couldn't have made them very
large. The house, after you had reached it, was as
uninviting as the walk was unwelcome, even in hot
or cold weather. Though it had been built fourteen
PASTOKATE AT WARSAW. 175
or fifteen years, the interior of it had never been
painted. When will the children of light be as wise
in their generation as the children of this world ?
The church had enjoyed the ministrations of some
of the best talent in the denomination : Peter
Freeman*, Walling, Joseph Elliott, Daniel Barnard*,
B. Wilcox, and Abraham Annis, all good men and
true. Two or three of my predecessors had made
efforts to move the meeting-house into the village.
But they always ended in bad feelings, and were the
cause of separation* between pastors and people ;
the south portion of the church contending for the
old situation "on the hill where it could be seen."
With this state of things existing, I entered the
field. It had but one redeeming feature, so far as
external appearances were concerned, viz : the town
had become the county seat of the new county
of Wyoming. In my engagement with the church,
I suggested a new house of worship, or one in the
village. "I am not going to talk about it, but when
the time comes, I want you all to lift until you
can see stars, and no flinching."
Things soon changed "on the hill," and in the
village. We had secured a good choir. In the
village we had organized a first-class Sabbath school,
176 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
and secured a good room in which to hold it and
evening prayer meetings. And things went on that
summer with a good degree of zeal and harmony.
The next winter we had a pleasant revival, in which
the church was strengthened in spirit, and an
addition of twenty-eight new converts made to the
membership ; and all with the disadvantage of " the
old house on the hill where it could be seen."
In the course of this year we had learned that one
man stood in the way of moving the house, he claim-
ing a moneyed interest in it to the amount of five
hundred dollars. In a pleasant conversation I had
with him, I got his consent to a removal of the house,
but when the time came for him to sign the contract
for the removal, he declined, saying that : "there was
no need of a Baptist church in town." He had once
been a member, but was excluded for immoral con-
duct. In the majority of cases, it is a safe rule to
have but little to do with excluded members of Bap-
tist churches. They are not to be trusted. They
are fit for "stratagems and spoils."
A subscription was started the very hour he
declined, nine o'clock A. m., and at ten o'clock p. m.
we had on it two thousand eight hundred and
twenty-five dollars for a new church edifice in the
PASTORATE AT WARSAW. 177
village, and in less than one year the house was
dedicated; the best then in the town. And the
crowning glory of all was, the church was permitted
to enter it in a full blaze of revival work. On the
first Lord's day after we entered our new house, six
were baptized ; the next, fifteen, and so on for eleven
Sabbaths in succession.
But no sooner than it became quite certain that
the Baptists were going to have a house in the
village, than a difierent manner was evinced towards
the church and pastor. We were all right when up
on the hill, but now things were changed. The
sweet treatment of the pastor by the other ministers
had changed to "cold shoulder," and that without
"bread or mustard." Our sentiments were not
orthodox, as we did not believe in the good old New
England practice of infant church membership, and
sprinkling for baptism. That was a change. When
we were up "on the hill" where we could be "seen"
we exchanged pulpits with those in the village, but
now it was not desirable to exchange with us. The
Baptists had but a small congregation when they were
worshiping on the lofty "hill." Now they had a
large congregation, and as large a Sabbath school as
any in the place, and composed of a class of people
178 FROM THE STAGE COAOB TO THE PULPIT.
as "good as the best of mankind." All that was a
change.
Then there were many who had met with a change
of heart, and not a few had changed their views in
regard to baptism and had been immersed, in obedi-
ence to the command of Jesus. This last change
was the provocation of a wordy war. The pulpits
in town were like so many batteries turned upon the
Baptist church, for changing their location and
coming into the village. As though they had a
religious pre-emption right to the territory of the
town! "Up on the hill where they could be seen"
they were permitted to enjoy uninterrupted peace.
Some of our brethren thought we ought to respond
to these broadside attacks of the big guns, lest it
should be implied that we were a little cowardly.
But we replied, "No, by no means ; God has more
important work for us, and we ought to be contented
as long as souls are being converted to Christ every
day, and every Lord's day we are going to the stream
to baptize. God is blessing us in a wonderful
manner, and we will not be guilty of stopping the
work by engaging in controversy. If it shall ever
seem necessary to expose their false and unscrip-
tural attacks, and I am not equal to the emergency.
1^
PASTOEATE AT WARSAW. 179
the church will be at liberty to dismiss me, and get
a man who is equal to the task."
This quieted the disposition to reply to the
attacks made upon us, and the work continued
under the reigning power of the Spirit until about
June. But the war against baptism did not abate,
for a lawyer* in the place, a man of influence, who
had been educated for the Episcopal ministry, had
the independence to ignore his infant sprinkling and
former connection with that church, and had
requested baptism as a believer in Christ and salva-
tion by faith. The church had received him as a
candidate for baptism, and had requested him to
give his reasons for this change in his views. He
consented, and the next Sunday was appointed for
his doctrinal experience, and baptism. In the
morning, he occupied the pulpit an hour and a half
with a clear and searching history of sprinkling as a
substitute for the ordinance of immersion, and his
reasons for change of belief and church membership.
It was a complete vindication of the Baptist
practice.
Soon after this, I was informed that one of the
ministers of the place had an appointment on a
* Hon. J. R. Doolittlej now rresideut of Chicago University,
180 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
week day to preach at East Orangeville on the
subject of baptism; and a convei*t invited me to
attend and listen to an expose of the Baptist fallacy
of immersion. He had been induced to join the
Methodist class, and had been sprinkled by this
Rev. Mr. Judd, with the assurance that it was
Scriptural baptism, and he would prove it to him
at this Thursday's meeting at East Orangeville. I
consented to attend.
It so happened that I went into the house in time
of prayer and was unobserved, taking a seat in the
back part of the room, and the reverend gentleman
being near-sighted, did not discover that I was
among his hearers. So he commenced his tirade
of misrepresentation of the Baptists, with a plentiful
quantity of abuse heaped on Elder H. K. Stimson.
He tried to be sarcastic, but his points were too
clumsily made and too stale to have any power. I
sat quiet and took notes. (I have them yet.) He
held the congi-egation an hour-and-a-half (not
spell-bound, but by the "button"). At the close
of this "sermon," he called upon a brother H. M. to
pray. Now, this brother was a Methodist exhorter
and a warm friend of mine. He knew I was present,
and made special mention of me in a prayer, saying
PASTORATE AT WARSAW. 181
he " blessed God that Brother Stunson had been sent
into that valley, and had been so successful in winning
souls to Christ."
All this time, Rev. Mr. Judd was peeking about
the house to see where I was. He then called upon
the congregation to sing :
" A charge to keep I have."
At the conclusion of the song, I arose from my
corner and said to Mr. Judd, "Can I give out an
appointment?" To which he replied, "Certainly."
I then gave notice that the next Lord's day, at one
o'clock p. M., I would discuss the following propo-
sitions :
1st. That infant church membership, with
sprinkling for the ordinance of baptism, was a
tradition of man and without Scripture, proof.
2d. That the "Methodist Episcopal Church" was
a human institution and without Divine authority.
3d. That believers are the only proper subjects
ot baptism, and immersion the only valid act.
4th. That Mr. Judd had told six lies.
If you have ever seen a hornet's nest disturbed
by throwing stones at it, you can have some correct
idea of the situation within those four walls. One
182 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
good large sister approached me, saying : "Well,
I think you are a pretty man to come here and
charge our minister with Ijdng." To which I
calmly replied : " Then, my good sister, you should
have a minister that won't lie about his neighbors
and brethren." I also invited all to attend and
bring their Bibles with them. I returned home and
set to work preparing for our next Sunday's
meeting. ,
The excitement all over the couttry spread like
the fire in the Philistines' corn, with Samson's foxes
on the full run. I had made such preparation as
the short time Avould afibrd. At one o'clock in the
afternoon of the Sabbath, not only the house, but
the streets and vacant places about the house, were
alive with human beings. As I went in, I found in
the doorway five clerg^Tuen : three Methodists, one
Presbyterian and one CongTCgationalist. I found
that the}^ had no seats, so I arranged to accommo-
date them with comfortable places. I also took in,
with help, a two-bushel basket full of books, majiy
of them I had sent miles to obtain for this occasion.
The ministers looked a little wild at the books.
After the opening song, I called on one of them
(not Judd) to pray. I then made the following
PASTORATE AT WARSAW. 183
statement : " If in this discussion to-day I make
any misrepresentation, or false quotation of the
Pedobaptist authors, or misstatements of any min-
ister's words, I shall be obliged to any clergyman or
other gentleman to call my attention to my mistake,
and I will stand corrected, if found in an error." I
stated the why of my appearing in a discussion.
I had called upon a friend to read from the authors
the quotations that I might make.
We will not detain the reader to rehearse the
arguments by which we sustained our first three
propositions. Suffice it to say, we were not called
to order by any one present, and so we concluded
we di(i not misrepresent their position or misquote
their authors. We came to the fourth proposition,
and sustained it to the satisfaction of every candid
hearer; and "Brother" Judd, then and there,
"swallowed" three out of the six falsehoods he had
told in the pulpit. The only apology he ofiered
was, he "was told so."
We occupied three hours and fifteen minutes in
this talk, without intermission. And thus ended
this "bloodless, wordy and watery war." About the
only reference, to the subject afterwards, was made
the next year by ]\Ir. Judd's successor, and by the
184 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
way, a very clever Christian gentleman, and on this
wise : My garden lay beside the walk on the main
street. This brother and his wife came walking
along one evening, just as I was watering my
cabbages with a common watering pot. "Ah ! " says
he, "then you do believe in sprinkling, I see, Brother
Stimson?" "Oh, yes," I replied; "for cabbage-
heads — it may do them good." He and his good
wife laughed and walked on.
During the following winter, the community was
a good deal exercised upon the subject of "IVIiller-
ism," or the speedy coming of Christ (time set to a
minute) , and the destruction of the world and the
wicked. Two prominent lecturers came into the
place. Rev. Mr. Beach and Rev. Elon Galusha.
The public attention was taxed with this exciting
subject, until nothing else could gain the popular
mind. So, I only sat as a looker-on, occasionally
witnessing a demonstration of the subject on charts.
We thought then, and think now, that we had no
objections to the Lord's coming ; but we did not see
that their figuring was exact authority, according to
"Dayball's." We had always heard that "figures
would not lie," and our confidence in their veracity,
up to that time, was unbounded; but we thought
PASTORATE AT WARSAW. 185
then we saw them lying — at least, the only excuse
we can discover for the behavior of the figures in
this particular case is, that they were very unfor-
tunate in being thrown together with such guess-
work, by which even a cypher would change the
whole tenor of Revelation on the subject. To say
the least, the "exact mathematics," as applied to the
doctrine of the "second advent," after a continuous
effort for a generation, and the most repeated and
signal failures, better withdraw from the field.
Before the time for the event is fixed again, we
suggest to those having the matter in charge to fix
upon a "standard of time ;" and then apply their
mathematics to the calculation of the variation for
different localities, owing to the difference of
latitude and longitude. The devil must fear this
doctrine, or he wouldn't have set such "minute-
men" to preaching it, and so brought it into such
deserved contempt. The Bible just as plainly
teaches that Christ is comiag the second time,
bodily and personally and visibly, as that He came
and was crucified, "dead and buried," and rose
again and ascended up on high. If He ever came
once. He is coming again. But He as expressly
says that no man knoweth when, "no, not the angels
of Heaven, but my Father only." To what order
18(3 FP.OM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
of beings do these mathematical, "second-advents"
belong ?
But no harm came of it to our church. Not a
single member went off with it, and not a soul was
converted to Christ in all these efforts. As soon as
the excitement had subsided, I called the attention
of my people to the fact that sinners were dying all
around us, and that whether Christ came at once, or
a great while in the futiure, they must be saved by
Him, or lost forever. God revived us again, and
that spring I baptized a goodly number of youth —
some of them exceedingly interesting cases — and
the church was replenished with the Spirit's influence
"to the edification of itself in love."
The year 1844 witnessed the great Presidential
campaign contest between Clay and Polk, and little
could be done for religion, except simply to maintain
the ground. The church and congregation had
become deeply imbedded in my heart. Many of the
church had been received by mj^self through the
significant ordinance of initiation into the household
of God, instituted and submitted to by Christ. But
"God's ways are not as our ways, nor His thoughts
as our thoughts."
At the close of my vacation, which I had
employed in traveling through the country in that
PASTORATE AT WARSAW. 187
part of the State, on returniiig home, the brother
who had "supplied" for me mtimated that he would
like my position, saying that "a number of the
brethren had suggested that a change of pastor was
desirable ; that I had been there quite a while, and
might be more useful somewhere else."
I said, "Very well, I vnll accommodate them."
The next week was Covenant meeting. I wrote out
my resignation, and at the meeting handed it to the
clerk, with the request for him to read it at the
close, for special action of the church at that
meeting. He complied. There was some agitation
in consequence. "Why, what can it mean?" One
of the deacons moved to lay it on the table, to
which, of course, I objected ; but all in vain. On to
the table it went without a negative. The truth
is, one man was a little excited on account of my
"abolition" proclivities. For I was what they called
a "hair-brained, fanatical, one-idea abolitionist."
He had fooled the poor, dear, little minister into
the belief that he could get the place, if I was only
out of it. I was willing, if the church so wished.
But they were so incensed they would not hear
him again. Six weeks after, at a special meeting,
my resignation was accepted, and I out on the open
road to seek a new field.
188 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER XIV.
WHEATLAND.
/T\HE church in Wheatland, hearmg that I had
-L resigned at Warsaw, invited me to visit them
at my earliest convenience. This invitation I
accepted, and was settled as then* pastor in January,
1845. In leaving Warsaw as I did, I was liable to
the charge of undue haste — a charge that might
frequently be set to my account. I have been
addicted to hasty action, more or less, all through
my life. In some instances, doubtless, great harm
came to churches in consequence of my haste in
leaving them. If I had not stayed with them any
longer to speak of, but had given them a little more
warning in case of my leaving, some injury,
doubtless, might have been prevented.
But, on the other hand, some of the best moves
I ever made, I think, were impromptu — and this
move to Wheatland was certainly one of them. I
never had any regrets m the case, as I had in leaving
Alabama. As soon as my family were comfortably
WHEATLAND. 189
settled, I began exploring my field. The church
then covered a large extent of country, parts of four
"towns," besides all of Wheatland, with small
villages, Scottsville, Mumford, Church ville and
Clifton. In each of these, I had an appointment
regularly. The church was mostly composed of
farmers, men of integrity, intelligence and wealth,
and a large circle of youth who had been brought
up to revere religion and attend the services of the
church. A number of them were already members,
and examples of Christian deportment.
All these facts impressed me with the belief that,
with God's blessing on the joint labors of pastor
and people, a work could be accomplished to the
honor of the Gospel and the enlargement of Zion,
There was one thing only that acted as a hindrance
to immediate advancement. The chm-ch edifice was
one of the first built west of the Genesee river, and
time had made its marks upon it ; and its architec-
tural construction was not in keeping with modem
ideas. To many of the members, as well as to the
society, it was distasteful — ^high, deep galleries ;
seats with high, straight backs, with a sharp rib
called a railing, and a lofty pulpit, with a long
stairway coming up both sides into a little box with
190 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
a board seat, the whole as large as a common bureau
when the doors were shut. Two common-sized
ministers would fill it full.
The church was organized in 1811, and had been
under the pastoral instruction of some of the ablest
men in the denomination. Elder Solomon Brown,
the first pastor, died in 1813. E. Stone was with
them four years. Aristarchus Willey, Horace
Griswell, John Middleton, Daniel Elbridge, Gibbon
Williams, who was my immediate predecessor,
completed the list of their pastors — choice men and
gifted, and some of them highly educated.
One fact is worthy of notice. This church had a
practical system of management by which they
conducted all then- finances. They were never
perplexed with any old, long arrearage. Then-
church book was as complete as an}' business man's
ledofer. At the end of each year they knew to a
cent what they had paid out, not only for home
expenses, but to the difierent benevolent objects of
the day. It was under the supervision of the
deacons of the church. All moneys passed through
their hands. I was surprised, at the close of my
first year, when the deacons called to settle with
me, to find that everj^ cent paid to me was on their
WHEATLAND. 191
book, and the exact amount due, wliicli was two
hundred and sixty-three dollars and twenty-seven
cents, was on hand with which to pay me. A thing
that had never happened to me before in fifteen years
of ministerial life.
Everything was done by equality. One was not
eased and another burdened, as m too many of our
chm'ches. The two acting deacons worked together
in perfect harmony. Deacon Jirah Blackmer was
church clerk, and had been from the beginning,
more than thirty-five years. Deacon Charles
Tenney was collector, always heading the list in
every good work. The senior deacon, Kawsom
Harmon, had become aged and had retired from
active responsibilities. He was a man of great
natural force of character. His ])ugle-voice was
yet heard in prayer and exhortation. A few, that
spring, were converted and added to the church.
In June, after a long consultation and mutual
agreement, we entered into a remodeling of the
church-house, at an expense of seventeen hundi'cd
dollars. The contract was let. The work was
nearly completed, and we were in anticipation of
entering the house in a few days, when, one morning
about three o'clock, while all in the neio-hborhood
192 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
were sleeping, the cry of "Fire! fire!" was
heard ; and lo I our new place or worship was all
in flames, and before daylight, all in ashes. The
evening of that day had been appointed for a
donation visit at the parsonage. It was a sad
gathering of all the church and society. In spite
of the depressing circumstance, they brought
generous offerings to their pastor, amounting in all
to one hundred and ninety dollars.
At this donation visit, a society and church
meeting was arranged for the next evening, to take
measures for rebuilding. There was perfect unity.
Their motto was, "The God of Heaven, He will
help us ; therefore, we His servants will arise and
build." The next Lord's day, I preached from
Isaiah Ixiv. 11 : "Our holy and our beautiful house,
where our fathers praised Thee, is burned up with
fire, and all our pleasant things are laid waste."
The money was soon raised to construct and
complete a new house.
This year we were quite disconcerted in our
Sunday school and congregational meetings, for a
convenient place in which to meet. But God was
in it all, disciplining the church for greater work
yet to come. The eighteenth of the next November
WHEATLAND. 193
the new house was entered, the Eev. Whitman
Metcalf, of Brockport, preaching the sermon. In
the evening, the Eev. N. Murdock, D. D., of
Albion, preached. There were already manifes-
tations of the Divine presence, as the church held
days of fasting and prayer prior to the opening of
the new edifice ; and yet there were no conversions.
That winter, I was engaged, with others, in the
Monroe Association, to raise a large amount to help
meet the deficit of forty-three thousand dollars in the
treasury of the A. B. M. Union. We had three
meetmgs — one in Rochester, one in Wheatland and
one in Mendon. Rev. Alfred Bennett was invited to
be present and preach at the meeting in our church.
After the sermon a collection was taken up,
amounting to five hundred and sixty-six dollars.
I felt relieved ; and I believe the work of replen-
ishing the treasury that year was finally accomplished.
The tenth day of March following, light from
above broke in upon us. Sinners became alarmed,
and the cry was heard, "What must we do?" Men
and women of age and standing, youth and children,
were seen flocking to Zion's gates, ''as clouds and
doves to windows." Our meetings continued day
and evening from the tenth of March to July. For
194 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
thirteen Sabbaths we visited the pools of Zion to
baptize rejoicing converts to Jesus, their new-found
King. The Spirit of reclamation went over the
land like sunlight and shower in May. Old hopes
were renewed in the Spirit, and persons who had
grown gray in neglect of God and salvation had
now a family altar. Young men would call me up
at midnight, to pray for them and direct them what
to do. There was not a dog to move his tongue,
except one. The Be v. Mr. Ashman, of Riga,
pastor of the Congregational church, became quite
incensed because a number of his people had called
for letters, in order to be baptized and join our
church. He said, on one occasion, that "Nobody
but the rahhle would go to see these Sabbath-
breaking immersions ; and I feel it to be a grievous
wrong to grant letters to any member of our church
to join a church that will not admit us to the Lord's
table." This so offended the better portion of his
church that he was summarily dismissed. He went
back to New England to get refreshed. In the
course of the work we received fifteen from the
Pedobaptists ; and I could not feel myself to blame.
Thus the year 1847 closed, with the church
greatly enlarged in spirit and in mimbers, having
WHEATLAND. 195
•
doubled its membership and also its ability. It was
their custom to increase in ability in proportion to
numerical increase ; if not in giving ability, in doing
ability. A donation visit was made to the parsonage
every winter by members of the church and congre-
gation. The time for it had come and the day was
set. The invitations had been sent out. The usual
order was for the older folks to come in the afternoon,
and the younger to come in the evening. But, on
this occasion, it seems it was a concerted plan
among the younger people to come in the day also,
and then make the older people stay in the evening ;
and it worked like a charm. Each district in the
parish tried to outdo the others. On one four-horse
load of hay that drove up, were, besides ten or
twelve men and womeuf the following articles, good
to read over : fom- barrels of apples, two barrels of
flour, ten bushels of oats, fifty pounds of dried
meat and butter, in addition to turkeys, chickens,
cakes and pies by the dozen. It is needless to
mention that it took four horses to draw this loadv
It came from "Palmer street." One woman threw
up her hands as it approached, saying: "There
comes all Palmer street, and it has outdone us all."
Our donation receipts footed up on this occasion to
196 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
the considerable sum of two hundred and sixty-five
dollars. Donation visits are not very bad things to
receive occasionally.
The next spring I held a meeting of days in
an out-station called "Harman's Burgh," now
Clifton. The Kev. J. B. Olcott and the Eev. H.
Daniels came to our assistance, and rendered most
valuable service. In that neighborhood, twenty-
eight were added to the company of the disciples in
that village.
This year I attended commencement at Hamilton.
I had attended before when it was a simple seminary ;
but now it had become a "University." This was
the first occasion on which they had ever conferred
honorary degrees, a ceremony I had never witnessed.
The first man to receive this was our warm friend,
Rev. Pharcellus Church,^ then pastor of the First
chiu-ch in Rochester. The duties of conferring the
weighty affair devolved upon Dr. A. C. Kendrick,
then one of the Hamilton faculty. I supposed he
would converse about the matter in English; but
when he began, I soon saw it was all "ash dod" to
me. (I was told that he chose to converse in
Latin.) As soon as all was over, I started off in
the stage for home. Arriving in Rochester before
WHEATLAND. 197
daylight, I proceeded at once to Church's residence,
and rung the bell. He came to the door in his
night dress, and asked, "Who's there?" "It's me,"
I replied. He opened the door, and I caught him
by the hand, muttering, " Juck, dio postate pulanto
dignite, fortunate vis to dogme ito Pharcellum
Churchum." "Why, Stimson, what is the matter
with you? Are you crazy, or are you dr ?" a
condition I had not been in for twenty years and
more. I replied, "I have made you a doctor of
divinity.'' The daily paper was just ready to go to
press, and I slipped down to the Democrat office and
had the fact inserted in the news column. When he
saw it in print, he regarded it as official.
The Monroe Association was one of the most
efficient religious bodies in the western part of New
York. It was composed of a class of ministers
godly and efficient — Rev. P. Church, of the First
church, Rochester; Rev. H. Davis, Second church,
Rochester; Rev. Z. Case, Ogden; Rev. Jonas
Woodward, Webster ; Rev. A. C. Kiugsley, Parma ;
Rev. Martain Coleman, Bergen ; Rev. Whitman
Medcalf, Brockport ; Rev. J. B. Olcott, Grece ;
Rev. A. Annis, East Mendon; Rev. H. Stanwood,
Rush. A number of the above are still living,
198 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
some at an advanced age, while others still have
"gone up higher."
About this time some dissatisfaction began to be
manifest about the management of our educational
matters at Hamilton. Friends in the East and West
were beginning to make an effort for its removal to
Rochester. In all good faith I joined in the general
movement, and spent much of my time and exerted
all my influence to secure that end. Bad blood was
stirred up on both sides, and many things said and
done that we have repented of. I hope God has
forgiven all concerned. I think He has one poor
sinner at least. I went into it as I go into every-
thing else : to conquer. The result has been greatly
favorable to the denomination at large. Rochester
University is a verity and a power, with a theological
seminary that no denomination need be ashamed of;
and Hamilton in all its departments is a better
institution than it would have been, had it not been
stirred up with the "long pole" of rivalry. It is
my constant prayer — God fill our land with educated
ministers. I value education as a jDOor man does
money : I feel the want of it. I sincerely pity any
young man who attempts to preach the sublime
truths of the Gospel of Jesus without at least a
WHEATLAND. 199
common English education. He ought to have, in
this day of advance in all the sciences, a complete
course in the best schools of the land.
When I look back over forty years of work, and
reflect what I have gone through by way of self-
mortification, and then how I have shamed the dear
Church of God by my bad pronunciation and worse
grammar, I have said, "If I were to spend my life
over again, I would give at least five years of that
time, no matter how old I might be to begin with,
to securing the best preparation for my work within
my reach." I think the council that ordained me
would have done a far better thing in resolving
themselves into an educational conference, and then
called on the church, or churches, to have sustained
my family and let me go to school ; or set me at
work at my trade to secure the means to support
them, and then started me on my course of study.
I saw my need of education the first time I ever
went into a pulpit to preach. While I lived in
Rush, and had only just begun to talk in neigh-
borhood gatherings, the pastor at Penfield wished to
be absent a Sabbath, and sent for me to supply his
place. I foolishly consented. Penfield was one of
the most intelligent congregations in the Monroe
200 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
Association. So Sunday morning I took my horse
and drove over fourteen miles; got there just in
time for the morning service. The brethren met
me kindly, as they all knew me, and some had
known me before my conversion. I went up into
the pulpit as I imagine a man would ascend the
gallows, and took my text in Psalms xxxiii. 4 : "For
the Word of the Lord is right ; and all His works
are done in truth." I had given the subject some
little thought, in my way of thinking, and got
through better than I expected to when I began.
So the devil suggested, "Hiram, you can beat that."
So in the afternoon I took my text from Hosea x. 12 :
"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy. '»
I had not proceeded far, when I used a common
word among stage drivers to express nothing^ so I
said, "You can't get a hooter out of them." There
was a Dr. C. in the congregation, who was looking
me full in the face with interest, and I have no doubt
now, with anxiety. As the word hooter came out,
he buried his face in his handkerchief, and laughed
till he shook all over. I stopped, ashamed and
confounded, and holding up my hands, said, "Be
dismissed," and pronounced the benediction. I went
straight to the barn, got out my horse and started
for Kush.
WHEATLA2sT).
201
Fourteen years afterwards, when I was pastor at
Warsaw and Rev. Daniel Barnard was pastor at
Penfield, he proposed an exchange. I arrived at
Penfield on Saturday, and called on Joseph Case,
with whom I was to lodge. While he was in the
barn, taking care of my horse, the deacon said :
"Well, Brother Stimson, I am glad to see you. I
hear good things about you. They say you have
got to be quite a preacher, and are doing a wonderful
sight of good. I suppose you won't say ^^hooter'^
to-morrow, will you?" I was half a mind to
hitch up my horse and go straight home. The
^^ hooter" was still after me. Fourteen years had
not obliterated the little word ^'hooter.''
Pardon this digression, and I will retm-n to the
narrative of my experience at Wheatland.
While the controversy was going on in regard to
the University, and the prospect grew brighter of
having it established at Rochester, a proposition
was made to raise an endowment fund of one
hundred and thirty thousand dollars ; and after an
effort had been made in the city, the next place that
was expected to "lift" was Wheatland. Rev. Dr.
Church, Deacon O. Sage and John N. Wilder, by
my invitation came up, and in less than two days
202 FliOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
they raised over seven thousand dollars. I think
this was the largest subscription from any country
church in the State. While they had the wealth,
they also had the disposition — a consideration still
more important. They believed in education.
They sent their children to the best schools the
countrv afforded.
ADRIAN. 203
CHAPTER XV.
ADRIAN.
IN 1849, the church in Adrian, ISIichigan, sent me
an invitation to visit them. I went and spent a
month or more, and gave them encouragement that
I might accept their call to the pastorate. I came
home with that expectation, and did resign ; but my
church delayed action in regard to it until the
small-pox had broken out in town, and my o^^^l
family were afflicted with it. And for six long
weeks all communication was closed. No meetings,
except those occasioned by the funerals. Indeed,
every day seemed like a constant funeral. As soon
as we came together as a church, a memorial was
handed me asking me to withdraw my resignation,
signed by a long list of the best members of the
church and society. I complied, and went to work
as before. But, in the spring following, the church
in Adrian renewed their call, and I accepted. In
July, 1850, I moved to Michigan.
204 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
This was a sorrowful year to the family. One
of our dear children sickened and died, in less than
a month after our arrival, of a disease superinduced
by the small-pox while at Wheatland. Soon, the
other children were attacked with the chills and
fever common to that climate. And then came my
turn. I was seized as if by an armed force. So,
out of the fifty-two Sundays of the year, I was only
able to attend church thirty-three, and then with
more shakes than Gospel.
The church had just closed a long series of
meetings, under the supervision of that extraordinary
man of God, Morgan Edwards. Already about
two hundred had been baptized into the fellowship
of the church, and the first Sabbath after I arrived
I baptized twenty-four more. Thus the church had
a mushroom growth from about one hundred to
about two hundred and fifty ; and the man who had
led the vanguard had left the forces scattered and
without a leader. All classes were thus gathered
into the church, without much system or unity of
belief. Of course, we do not blame Brother
Edwards. It was not his place to systematize and
educate. Some of the converts had not been near
the church after being baptized, and did not intend
ADRIAN. 205
to come. All they wanted was to be baptized.
One man, who had been received, came to me and
wanted me to sprinkle his children ! He intended
to have it done before he left "Hingland," but had
neglected it. "But," I said, "your children are not
believers, are they?" "No, indeed they are not;
and that is why I want them christened. Me and
my Bettie, ye know, were christened hinto the
Church of Hingland, ye know, and then we were
come to Hamerica, and have been baptized by
Brother Hedwards. Now, we's want our children in
has good standing as we are." It was with great
difficulty that I could make him understand the
nature of the ordinance of Christ's house — in fact, I
did not explain it to his entire satisfaction, for he
and his "Bettie" went and joined the Methodists,
who would accommodate them to almost anything
they wanted in a so-called religious way. They
doubtless felt far more "at home" among the
Methodists. We felt relieved. This was an extra-
ordinary case ; but many were singularly, if not
similarly, affected.
It was here the story was started that I ran horses
at a State fair. It grew out of the fact that I had a
good horse and carriage at the time the State fair
206 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
was held at Adrian, that I had brought with me
from Wheatland. The animal was well broken and
thought to be the best of any in the community,
and I was invited to "enter" him for a prize. I
agreed to, and before the fair came off I trained my
little boy, fourteen years old, to drive. The horse
needed no training. I told the boy to just sit up
straight and mind his own business, and pay no
attention to others. I thought he was trained all
right, and I could trust him to enter the ground
with the horse and carriage. The time came to
exhibit this sort of property, and the boy drove into
the grounds with a long list of others. But the
cracking of whips and the rattle of wheels scared
the boy, — not the horse, for it hardly knew what
a whip meant. The fear he was under caused hmi
to drive over the chains, and I saw that something
must be done to redeem tliis mishap, or I should
lose the premium. So, a friend, Mr. S. W. W.,
said: "Elder, you go, drive your own horse." I
did so, and of course took the first premium for the
best-trained horse in a single carriage.
In a few days, one of our Adrian merchants went
East and fell in company wdth two clergymen of
my own denomination, who inquired very curiously
i
ADRIAN. 207
about me. He replied: "Oh, yes; I know him
very well, and a very clever fellow he is, too. He
has just had a streak of good luck." "Oh, indeed !"
says one of the ministers; "in what way?" "Oh,
he won five hundred dollars at a horse race !" ^^At
a horse-7^acef" inquired my dumb-founded friends.
"Yes, at a horse-race. I was there, and saw it
myself." The story went all over the land as on
the wings of the wind. The merchant has had
many a hearty laugh over it at my expense. This
is my first and last experience with agricultural
horse trots. If it was so then, it is certainly so
now, that one can't participate in them with horses,
in any way, and not run great risks of losing his
good moral reputation.
I saw that the condition of things was such in the
church at Adrian that it would take years to get all
into good running order. Careful discrimination was
necessary between the "chaff and the wheat." Many
that had been brought into the church under the
great religious awakening, were genuine Christians,
and evinced an earnest disposition to live godly
lives, but they needed instruction, and constant
watching for a time. Others, of whom we stood in
some doubt, might in time be saved to the church,
208 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PUT.PIT.
and be made of some value to the cause. Others
still, if saved at all, would have to be saved "so as
by fire." So all the next winter the pastor and
church toiled to effect a healthful "circulation" in
the extremities of the patient's system. But there
was an organic disease that neither "cholagogue nor
quinine" could reach — intermittent chills and fever,
day chills and night sweats. These bid fair to bring
on quick consumption. To individualize the figure
a little, many had become so prostrated already, that
they could not say "Shiboleth," one of the last words
given up. A patient is very sick that can't speak
this ; and very well, that won't speak it. Some of
the members had become ritualists. They didn't
read off their part in the covenant meeting, but
committed and repeated it. "I hope you will pray
for me, that I may hold out faithful, and when I die,
that I may meet you all in heaven" — about as much
evidence that a man is a disciple of Jesus, as looking
out of the east window in the morning is, that he is
a Persian fire-worshiper.
But, there were some old staunch men and
women, and a number of young people, who, like
Caleb and Joshua, were bound to stand by the
truth ; who loved the Church and its ordinances, and
ADRIAN. 209
felt themselves bound to see the body restored to
its former health and efficiency. Among this
number was a Mrs. M., a very intelligent and useful
body, the wife of a lawyer who had been a man of
some importance in the State. But he had become
so dissipated and lost to respect that he had lost
place and power as a politician, and was a kind of
"hanger-on around town," getting his liquor where
he could sponge it. One of our brethren said to
him one day, "Squire M., why don't you go to
meeting with your wife and hear our minister?" He
straightened himself up, and in a pompous manner
said, "Well, Mr. W., I will tell you. When I
go to church I want to hear a man preach who has
not been a stage driver, and never was drunk," and
then set up a hearty laugh at Mr. W.'s expense.
Some one who heard this conversation and was quite
indignant at it, came and told me about it. A few
months after, one Lord's day morning, there came
into the house of God, this same Squire M. and his
mfe, his face all radiant with poor whisky. His
eyes looked like worn out button holes. I was
discoursing that mornmg from the words : "As ye
go, preach." I was enforcing the importance of all
preaching, and preaching everywhere, by example,
210 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
character, and conversation. "It isn't all in all that
you should be learned or eloquent. The first dis-
ciples were poor, and mostly illiterate, but they
preached pretty efiectually. Suppose a man has
been a shoemaker, a poor sailor, or a stage driver ;
when he is sober and in his right mind, can't he
preach, and do as much good as a miserable, drunken
lawyer?"
The sensation all over the house was apparent.
All eyes turned involuntarily towards Squire M.
The next day he met brother W., and said: "W.,
that was a home thrust your Elder gave me yester-
day, and my wife thinks it is good enough for me.
I kind of like the fellow. I believe I'll come and
hear him again. He is not afraid to speak what he
thinks."
The continued sickness in our family, and my
own imperfect state of health, with the vast amount
of pastoral care demanded in this church, induced
me to consider a call I had received from the church
at Penn Yan. Our "anniversaries" met that spring
in Boston, and I was advised to take a trip East, in
company with my physician, John Cadman, and
attend the Boston meetings. On my way home, I
called at Penn Yan, and spent two Sundays. The
ADRIAN. 211
church had been without a pastor some months, and
were quite desirous of the speedy settlement of a
pastor.
After my return home, I laid the matter before
the church at Adrian, and resigned, after a short and
trying pastorate of one year. But little had been
done for the conversion of souls, most of our efforts
having been put forth in behalf of those who were
in need of greatest care and nursing, and to save the
church from shipwreck ; — all under the distressing
influence of chills and fever.
212 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PtHLPIT.
CHAPTEK XVI
PENN YAN.
/TV HE Baptist church m Penn Yan stood high
-L among the churches in that part of the State as
an old and efficient body of Christians, numbering
at the time three hundred and twenty-eight. They
had not enjoyed a revival for a long time, and had
now been destitute of a pastor altogether too long.
Formalism had eaten out some of the joy of salvation
from their hearts. But they were a united people,
and believed in every good work, and in love to all
mankind. K the temperance reform was to be
pushed, they were ready. K "abolition" was to
be agitated, they were found in the front rank.
They believed in the largest liberty, and in the
highest state of religious life. Grod was with them,
and in them. During the first summer, about all I
could do was to encourage the young, comfort the
aged, and marshal the forces for a future onset upon
the powers of darkness. This latter work, we
PENN YAN. 213
think, by divine grace we succeeded in accom-
plishing.
Many ministers make a failure on this point. In
time of declension they talk and preach depressingly,
and so make depression more oppressive. What
would we think of a man in dark and cloudy Aveather,
who should come out upon his door-steps and begin
to lament in this manner : "Dark day ! a very
d-a-r-k d-a-y, r-ar-i-n-y and c-o-l-d. We are
g-o-i-n-g to h-a-v-e a s-t-o-r-m-y n-i-g-h-t. We
s-h-a-n-t r-a-i-s-e o-u-r b-r-e-a-d t-h-i-s y-e-a-r.
I n-e-v-e-r s-a-w t-h-e 1-i-k-e in all my e-x-
t-e-n-d-e-d e-x-p-e-r-i-e-n-c-e . T-h-e-r-e-'-s n-o
u-s-e of t-r-y-i-n-g." Any common-sense person
would say he was sick with the blues. So far as he
had any influence over his neighbors, it would be
injurious.
I consider this contmual croaking in the church,
and the fault-finding spirit, productive of the very
evil which it is intended to overcome. Come out
with a good sermon on "Hope thou in God." Get
the people to look away from themselves, and exalt
the Lord in their hearts. Get them mto the habit
of taking cheerful views. In a covenant meeting,
where croakino: and mournino- were the order of the
214 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
day, an old lady, the last one to speak, arose and^
said. "Why, brethren and sisters, you distress me.
Jesus is the same yesterday, to-day and forever.
His promises will not fail. Don't let us any more
entertain each other with this kind of cold victuals.
I always set the best I have in my house before my
company, and when I am alone, I eat the crusts in
silence, thanking God for the warm meals I have
enjoyed." This little talk of the aged sister enth-ely
changed the tone of the church ; the minister felt
relieved, and he and his people changed all their
social religious habits, so that God renewed them.
Early in September, I began to apply the truths
I had been preaching during the summer, and to
increase the number of our prayer meetings from
one to two, and then to three a week. Instead of a
sermon on Sabbath afternoon, we often turned it
into a conference talk, the meeting taking this turn
naturally, and not by previous notice. Never*
advertise any such change, nor be afraid of taking
the liberty of making it. This was like the "nine
and twenty knives," spoken of in the Scripture.
By October the church was in a good working con-
dition, and it was plainly to be seen that a change
had come over the spirit of their dreams. Family
PENN YAN. 215
altars were reconstructed. Old heart-burnings were
healed. The frivolity of the youth had given place
to sober thinking and prayer. Men of the world
were becoming more attentive in the house of God.
By November, we were "protracting" our meetings,
and hardly knew how or when the extra interest
began. I think it often gives the devil a favorable
chance to rally his forces and oppose, to adveiiise
long beforehand the intention of the church to hold
extra meetings. Things went on in glorious majesty
for ninety-seven days and nights, and there was not
a dog to yelp against it. Sinners were constantly
pressing to the inquiry meetings for advice and
prayer, and the outlet of the beautiful lake was
visited every Sabbath to introduce the new-born
souls into the visible kingdom of the Captain of
their salvation.
And now came the tug of war. A number of the
youth that had been in the habit of attending the
Congi'egational church, and some of the members of
that church, came into this work. Some were
converted, some were revived, as the case might
be. As soon as they felt the need of a higher stand
in religious living, in the simplicity of their hearts
they went to their pastor, the Rev. Mr. C. for
216 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
instruction. He inqaii'ed of them where they iirst
began to be exercised on the subject. They told
him, "in the meetings at the Baptist church."
"Well," said he, "my advice to you, my young
friends, is to keep away from those meetings. We
never had any such meetings down in Stockbridge,
in Massachusetts, where I came from. And I
understand that Elder Stimson has been a stage
driver and a hard case, and used to get intoxicated
and turn over the stage ; and my impression is, that
he will upset the Baptist church, and have them all
in the mud before spring. Your best way is to
come to our regular meetings, and let Stimson and
the Baptists quiet be."
This was a poser to the unsophisticated youth.
These young folks came into our next young
people's meeting, and one of them, my son, a lad
sixteen or seventeen years of age being present,
asked a Baptist friend, with surprise : "Was iVIr.
Stimson ever a stage driver ? " To which he replied :
"I suppose he was." He told what Rev. Mr. C.
had said. When seeing my son, they begged his
pardon and the interview closed. But my boy could
not forget what he had heard. He came home and
inquired : "Father, have — ^you — ever — been-
PENK YAK. 217
Stage driver?" "Yes. Why? What of it?" He
related the conversation at the meeting.
The next Sabbath, I gave the reasons for coming
to that place to baptize, mstead of administering the
ordinance with a little water in the house. And
this was all I said. The next Tuesday, I met Mr.
C. in the street, and after recognizing me, he said :
"Mr. Stimson, the clergymen of the village held a
meeting at my study this morning, and having
heard what you said at the water last Sabbath, we
have concluded not to extend to you the courtesies
of the ministry any longer, and I was appointed a
committee to inform you of our decision." "/ntZeec?,"
I replied ; " What have I said, and who is your
informant?" "Well," he said, "it is on the street,
and I will not extend our conversation any further.
Good day, sir." He wouldn't tell, nor hear me tell,
what I said, and passed along.
In the afternoon, I met the Methodist minister,
and asked him to explain the affair. "Oh I Mr. C,"
said he, "wanted a resolution he had written against
yourself passed by our little meeting : and to show
you, Brother Stimson, that I do not have any such
feelings, I wish to exchange with you next Sabbath."
I consented. The thing went over town like a
218 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
prairie fire. I soon baptized five of his members
and as man}^ more from his congregation, taking the
three best singers out of his choir. Mr. C.*s people
asked him to resign. He refused to do it, and they
closed the meeting-house on Sundays until his year
was out, when he left for the West. The revival
continued, and extended into the churches at Milo
and Benton.
Dui'ing this summer, I received an accident that
came near costing me my life. I had been invited
to deliver a fourth of ^jTuly oration at Bethel. When
in the middle of my talk the platform broke,
carrying down thirty men some eight feet. I lay
for nine long weeks a great sufferer, not expecting
ever to preach again. After I was able to be about,
I visited my old field of pleasant toil at Wheatland.
Kev. Dr. W. W. Everts had succeeded me in the
pastorate, and radical changes had taken place. The
church had extended her enterprise in meeting-house
building. A new house had been erected at Clifton,
two-and-a-half miles to the east, and one at
Mumford, two-and-a-half miles to the south.
Churchville had already become an independent
body and also had a meeting-house, making in all
four congregations. The pet plan of Di*. Everts
PENN YAN. 219
was to have them all one church, but four congre-
gations, he to be the pastor, and the churches to
employ the young men from the seminary at
Rochester to supply them alternately, in his absence
in going from one to the other.
To some the enterprise looked feasible, to others
objectionable. About the time the new house was
completed in Clifton and the one in Mumford in an
advanced state, a decided opposition to the plan was
manifested. He had warm supporters of his ideas,
but on the other hand he had hearty opposers. The
opposing sides were about equally represented by
the leading men in the church. The determination
to carry the opposing plans was about equally
divided. Each side engaged in the contest to win.
Church meeting after church meeting had been held,
and yet the matter was unsettled.
The Clifton portion of the church had invited me
to be present at the dedication of their house, and
preach the sermon. A friendly conference was also
held at the house of Gen. R. Harman, to consider
what means were expedient in order to conciliate
brethren who for years had lived and worked
together in the unity of the Spirit, many of them
from childhood. It was then advised to organize
220 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
two churches, one at Clifton and one at Mumford,
as it was evident these three parties could not work
and walk together harmoniously in the old church
at Wheatland.
Acting on this informal advice, these branches
resolved themselves into independent churches and
called a council for their recognition. The church
at Clifton extended me a call to become their pastor,
which I accepted. The same council which met for
the recognition of the church, also recognized me
as pastor. Rev. Dr. G. W. Howard, of Rochester,
preached the sermon. This was in December. The
next day the same council met at Mumford, and
recognized that little band of disciples as a church.
Sermon by Rev. H. K. Stimson, and hand of
fellowship by Rev. Zenas Case, of Ogden.
Thus the old hive had, within the space of a little
over three years, produced three swarms, and all
of them comfortably hived — Clifton, Churchville
and Mumford. And the mother hive was no less
determined than ever, though somewhat enfeebled,
to gather honey, to live and let live.
Dr. Everts soon resigned, and was succeeded by
Rev. S. M. Bainbridge as pastor at Wheatland. At
Churchville, Rev. J. C. Drake was elected pastor;
PENN YAN. 221
at Mumford, Rev. Chancy Warduer, and at Clifton,
Rev. H. K. Stimson. The old church at Wheatland
had given letters to all who requested, to join any
one of the three without regard to location. One or
two families living at Wheatland went to Mumford,
but all the rest were within convenient distance of
the church of their choice.
The Wheatland church still retained some of the
best material in the community. Deacon Jirah
Blackmer and his family, Ira Harman and family,
Gen. T. Brown and family, Ariel Harman and family,
Hon. Elisha Harman and family, Sylvester Harman
and family, Martin Sage and family, the daughter
and sons of Capt. E. Blackmer, and a very
respectable portion of the outside society in and
about the town. But things did not appear as they
used to in the days of her prosperity. The dear
old church had lost much of its former glory. The
large congregation tha;t used to fill the commodious
house, had dwindled down to a small one. The
ample contributions often made to benevolent
objects, were now scanty in comparison.
Here are some figures showing the Christian
liberality of the old church in 1847-48 : For
foreign missions, $565; for home missions, $127;
222 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
for publication cause, $112 ; education, $150; Bible
cause, $85; other objects, $111 — total, $1,150.
And a year or two afterwards, they gave, while Dr.
Everts was pastor, to the Bible Union alone, $1,000.
The four churches altogether have not come up to
it by one half any year since. We have not intro-
duced these figui-es for the sake of invidious com-
parison. It was the community in which we spent
the happiest portion of our ministry. Dr. Everts
and myself were, and are, personal friends. But
aside from all personal considerations, the figures
ought to convey a lesson.
The church at Clifton numbered but fifty-two at
the organization. But the Lord was with us, so that
by the time the Association met, we reported a
membership of eighty-three. This was the strongest
of the new organizations, both numerically and in
personal ability. It was composed of men of sound
judgment, and good business habits. A number of
them had long been steadfast workers in the mother
church. And their children, brought up by such
nursmg fathers and mothers as were these true
Christian men and women, became, at least many of
them, similar ornaments to the Church of Christ. A
large number of these I had welcomed into the fold,
PENN YAN. 223
during my pastoral care of the undivided body. This
made it very pleasant to resume pastoral relations
with them. I knew them, and had perfect confidence
in their piety and integrity.
In the winter and spring of 1853-54, the church
of which I was then pastor was blessed with a
powerful work of the Spirit. It had been manifest-
ing itself all the autumn and winter by an uncommon
spirit of prayer, especially on the part of the older
members. My health was yet feeble from my fall,
and not being able to endure as much hardship as
formerly, I sent for Rev. R. C. Palmer — ^the pastor
has the right to send off for an assistant, without
submiting the matter to a vote of the church, though
it may generally be expedient to take formal action
first — who was a workman that needeth not to be
ashamed. His coming was like the "coming of
Titus." God was with him in the power of His
great Spirit. He resorted to no claptrap. He got
up no furor of passion. He was not known for
making it "easy" for sinners to become Christians.
He poured forth the living truth of God's Word,
showing man's lost condition, and his only hope to
be found in Christ. A large number believed, and
gladly followed Jesus in baptism. They were of all
224 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
ages, from the child of tender years to men of gray
hairs ; some of them long accustomed to overt acts
of sin. It was a godsend to this young church, the
stay of brother Palmer with us for five weeks, and
the conversion of such a goodly number.
My health had become so impaired that physicians
advised me to submit to a surgical operation.
Accordingly, 1 went to New York, and after six
weeks, the most of the time passed in severe
suffering, I was relieved and came home much
better, and renewed in my spirit. While in the
city, I was made the welcome guest of a brother
and sister Hoskins, who nursed and cared for me
as for an own brother. This was the result of a
simple incident in Providence. A number of years
before, while up in the Alleghany country, I wished
to fiiid a place to pass the night, and called at the
shanty of a lumberman, who could not entertain
me, but du'ected me to a Mr. Hoskins, who lived
down the creek about a mile, "close to the saw-mill."
I hastened on, and found a snug little cottage, where
I was hospitably welcomed and entertained. I
found them to be earnest, humble, devout members
of the Baptist Church. They were poor in goods,
but rich in faith. Twenty years had elapsed. His
PENN YAN. 225
pastor in New York I had baptized fourteen or
fifteen years before. While they were in consul-
tation one day, my name was mentioned. "I know
him," said Hoskins ; "he spent a night at my house
in Alleghany, and if you ever see him tell him
where I am, and if he ever comes to the city I
wish him to call on me." They were now rich, but
the same simple, unostentatious Christians. They
have long since entered upon their bright reward
in the Spirit land. Of course, my stay with them
was as pleasant as it could be made in the midst
of continual sufi'ering. Drs. Mott and Parker, who
performed the operation, charged nothing, as I was
a minister of the Gospel. Their bill would have
been a hundred dollars. There are some advantages
in bemg Q>poor minister after all.
The next winter, I helped in special meetings
with a number of churches. I was at Marion,
assisting Pastor J. W. Osborn ; at Webster,
assistmg Pastor Holt; then at Dansville, with
Pastor Howell Smith ; at Parma, with Pastor T. H.
Green, and at Rochester, with Pastor Howard.
It was quite convenient to have the seminary so
near as it was at Rochester. One of the students,
Rev. J. G. Stevens, belonged to our church, and he
226 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
helped supply my pulpit. He was a choice spirit.
He is now with God. The four years spent at
Clifton were not all sunshine. Death had his work
to do. He entered our circle at the parsonage ho^ie
and took a dear boy, who sleeps in the new cemetery
among the sugar maples. In the church and
congi-egation, too, death came. The young wife
of Mr. Hosmer, a lovely Christian lady, was taken.
Miss Phidelia Harmon, a blooming girl, who had
just graduated from the seminary at Albion, was
called upon to take her place among the white-robed
above. Sidney C. Hosmer, a young man of much
promise to the church and his dear family, left us
for scenes of higher activity in God's great home.
We could illy afford to lose any of these or of the
others whom we might mention who were translated
from the Church below to the Church triumphant.
But the Master had need of them, and we had need
of the discipline. It taught the younger portion
of the church many good lessons to lose for time
so many of their associates.
MARION. 227
CHAPTER XVn.
MARION.
^URING the fall of this year, 1855, the church
J-^ at Marion, Wayne county, New York, had
parted with their pastor, Rev. J. W. Osborn, with
whom I had held a meeting two years before. They
at once desired me to consider a call to the pastorate.
I had miso^ivino^s about settlino^ with a church for
whom I had previously labored in a protracted
meeting, for the reasons that the sermons preached
during such efforts are generally on a higher key
than ordinary pastoral preaching. I intimated this
to the committee. But they said it had already
been taken into the account by the church, So
I accepted, and as soon as I could resign and make
due arrangements, I left my Clifton field and settled
among them.
I found them a warm-hearted people, liberal and
zealous in every good word and work, and, more-
over, quite careful about their pastor's necessities.
228 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
We had come into the place late in the fall, and saw
at once that little aggressive work could he done
that season for the souls of the impenitent. The
Congregational and Methodist churches had united
and sent for an evangelist to conduct their union
meetings. I was invited to come in and do the
"police" work in the camp, while the brother
evangelist should have command of the rank and
file. Just at this time, I received a telegraphic
dispatch — telegrams had not come into fashion
then — from the Rev. C. C. Norton, pastor of the
Sixth-street Baptist church in New York City, to
come to his assistance at once, as a great work of
the Spirit had begun in his church. I started that
day. "The King's business requires haste." I was
absent in the city seven weeks, and on my return
found the union meeting yet in progress, but not a
soul had been converted. The evangelist had
become discouraged and left the place. The two
pastors were still trying to push the battle to the
gates of the enemy. But in their onsets, they spent
most of their ammunition in attacking the Baptist
stronghold. So apparent was this, that my people
had retired from the field in good order. I called
the day of my return at a store, and there met the
MAEION-. 229
two co-laboring, co-fighting pastors. The merchant,
an old man, was an infidel. He had lived in the
town about forty years, and had been acquainted
with its history from the beginning. As we three
stood by the stove, he said : "Well, gents, I am
glad to see you all here together. I want to give
you my advice — it's free ; and it's this : give up
your meetings to the Baptists. I have been here
forty years, and in all that time all the revivals have
been held by them. Others have tried, but have
come out just as you have. The Elder has got
home, and he's an old war-horse. Let the Baptists
have the field. That's all ; now do as you please,
gents."
That afternoon, the two ministers called at my
study, and wished to hold the meetings in the three
churches, including the Baptist, rotating from one
to the other. I replied that I did not think it best
for me to go into any such arrangement. "But," I
added, "when you get through with your efibrt, if
my people think it best, we may hold a few extra
meetings." They then proposed that our church
take the meeting on Sunday night. To this I
consented, on condition that I was to have the
control of it without "let or hindrance." They
230 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
consented. So, on Sunday evening all came to the
Baptist church. I had asked the Methodist
Episcopal minister to preach. He took for his
text II Samuel iv. 4, and went on for awhile like
the man in the Bible, lame in both his feet, not
forgetting to make a few thi'usts at the Baptists,
and then said amen ; and we all said amen and
amen.
Monday evening, Eev. E. F. Crane, my successor
at Clifton, came to my help. As he entered the
meeting-house he commenced to sing, a thing he
could do as few can. In the course of a few weeks,
over one hundred were saved in Christ. Brother
Crane staid with me in all five weeks. When he
left for home, eighty-four had united with the
church. As soon as the converts began to follow
Jesus in the first ordinance of His house, these two
loving, "liberal" clergymen were attacked with
sectarian "fits," or rather hydrophobia — madness at
the sight of "much water." The Congregational
minister had to employ the "Christian" minister to
baptize a lady who wished to join his church, but
insisted on being baptized and not sprinkled, the
follower of Jesus declaring that he would not "go
into the water." It was suggested by some one
MARION. 231
"that it would bring on a spasm." It would seem
as though Christ must have made a great mistake
in one of His ordinances !
The church in Marion, with all their good habits,
had one bad one. They would come late to
meeting. The morning services were at half-past
ten o'clock. They had a good bell, and it was
punctual in its bland tones in calling them to the
house of prayer. Most of the congregation were
punctual enough ; but there were a few who were
forever dropping in all through the worship. I
expostulated. No good. Late attendance was a
part of their practical piety. At length I tried this
expedient : I took a text from Ezekiel ix. 3 : "And
he called to the man clothed with linen which had
the writer's ink horn by his side." I had gone on
for five or ten minutes, and in came Brother E.
and his wife and two daughters. I stopped until
they had taken their seats and then quoted the text,
"And he called to the man clothed with linen which
had the writer's ink horn by his side ;" and added,
"We have proceeded some way in our subject, and
have repeated the text for the benefit of brother E.
and his family." All looked at them, but they looked
down. On we went again, and in a few minutes
232 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
more, in came brother S. and his wife. We stood
still till all was quiet, and then repeated the text :
"And he called to the man clothed with linen, which
had the writer's ink horn by his side," and then said :
"For the instruction of brother S. and his wife, we
will say that the subject is thus far advanced, and we
will repeat what we have gone over for your benefit."
Again we proceeded, when in came brother J., who
heard all about the "ink horn" and all the preceding
part of the sermon. We persevered up to the
seventh or eighth straggler, emptying the ink horn
upon the head of each. It was an effectual antidote.
One thing to the credit of this town : they have
had no grog shop in it for over thirty years ; those
who would get drunk had to go so far for the stuff,
that as a rule, they got sober before reaching home.
In the village is a fine collegiate institute of high
order, under Baptist control, and largely patronized.
The church has sent out a goodly number of minis-
ters who were converted and reared there. Rev.
J. H. Morrison, and Rev. H. J. Eddy, D. D., are
among the number.
During this year, I visited my children and other
relatives in Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minne-
sota. While on my journey, I fell in with an old
MARION. 233
friend who perpetrated a sell on me and others in the
cars. It is generally a religious duty to tell a good
joke. It was about the time that Blondin, the rope
walker, was exciting the country with his exploits at
Niagara. This friend and companion told the pass-
engers,^while I was absent in another car, that I was
Blondin. When I returned, I was much annoyed by
people flocking about my seat, and staring at me
with an uncommon gaze. I was so much annoyed
by it that I went into another car. But in a few
minutes in they came like so many harjpies, filling
up every vacant seat and even the passage-way,
gaping at me in the same unacconntable way. At
length an old couple came in and took a seat in front
of me. No sooner were they seated than the old
lady, turning around and raising her spectacles,
peered into my face and said : " Where are you going
to perform next?" "I am going to Chicago, madam,"
I replied. "Is you going to walk the rope there?
If ye du, we am bound to see ye du it." " Walk a
rope? Why, what do you suppose I am? I do not
understand you." "Why, ain't you that feller
what's bin crossing Niagara river on a rope so many
times?" "No! Who said I was?" "Why, we
heard of it all along back in these 'ere cars ever so
234 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
many times, and we kind o' wanted to see you, ef
you was the feller. Hope you arn't ashamed of it?"
I saw the sell^ and went back to my old seat in the
other car, where I found my friend shaking like a
man with the palsy, his face covered with a
newspaper.
We stopped that night at Detroit. The next
day, taking an early train for Chicago, while my
friend was in the smoking car, I asked a young
gentleman near me if the Hon. Stephen A. Douglas
would make a speech anywhere on the way to
Chicago? "Is he on the train?" asked a number of
voices at once. "Well, that gentleman in the
smoking car looks like him," I intimated. Off to
the smoking car went two or three in hot haste, and
soon retm-ned, scattering the news like wild-fire that
Hon. S. A. Douglas was on board, returning from
the Senate. Others went and looked. One or two
said it was not Douglas, but others were quite
confident that it was ; they knew him like a book.
The resemblance was quite striking.
We were to take dinner at Marshal, and arrange-
ments had been made among the passengers to call
him out for a speech. Lest I should be identified
in the matter, I had gone and laid down in a vacant
MAKION. 235
seat, getting up just in time to be prepared for the
dinner. As the train neared the station, a big lusty
fellow jumped out upon the platform, as soon as
the train slackened up, and cried out at the top of
his big voice, "Fellow-citizens, ladies and gentle-
men, I propose three cheers for Hon. Stephen A.
Douglas, of Illinois. Hip, hip, hurrah !" Our stout,
short friend pressed his way to the wash-room,
followed by the multitude, crying, "A speech ! a
speech ! Come, now, give us a five minutes'
speech." He rushed into the wash-room and
looked at me, shaking his head in a significant
manner, "Sold out, Blondin; I will pay for the
dinner." His Chicago friends heard of it, and used
to address him as "Honorable."
236 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER XVm.
RACINE.
T ATE in the fall of 1857, I received an invi-
-L^ tation to visit the church at Racine, Wisconsin,
having the year previous spent a Lord's day there
while on a visit among friends in that city. Having
consented to do so, I closed my connection with the
church at Marion, and on Christmas day arrived in
Racine. After a few weeks' stay among them, they
extended me a call to the pastorate. I had already
found out that the church and society were in quite
a divided state. The previous pastor was a resident
hi the city, and had a large social influence in the
church and community. He had been pastor there
about six years, and as in all cases, he had his
special admirers ; also those wh o were not well
pleased with him, his administration and manner of
preaching. This being the condition of things, he
had resigned. I saw chat a new pastor would have
RAcmE. 237
a hard time of it, and so deferred an answer to their
invitation. But I consented to stay two or three
months as a supply, giving the church a fair oppor-
tunity to become acquainted with me, and me an
equal opportunity of finding them out, and of
satisfying myself as to my duty in the case.
After the holidays were over, there were evident
tokens of good manifest in the church, by the
Spirit's reviving the members to a closer attachment
to the Master. Mutual concessions were made, and
the impenitent were being stirred up to think upon
their ways. Soon the city was paying more atten-
tion to religious matters than had been the case for a
louoj time. I beojan to think that the old animosities
and scandal had been absorbed in the precious
revival tide that seemed about to sweep over the
city. It looked as if we should have a free coast
and a fair breeze. But in this we were sadly mis-
taken. The time Ave had set for deciding the
question of the call had come, and that right in the
bloom of the revival mterest. So by the earnest
solicitation of friends we gave an affirmative answer,
and in April went East for my family. Rev. N. F.
Ravlin supplying the pulpit. On my return I went
to work in all good faith, supposmg that everythmg
238 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
was amicably settled. But as soon as the ardent
spirit that manifested itself in the winter began to
subside, the old scandals were revived and circulated
with more vim than ever, if possible. I thought it
my duty to have some of the common reports about
prominent members investigated. But others
thought the better way was to let it all alone, and
it would cure itself in time. I have not changed
my mind on the subject since.
At a "packed meeting," the question was agitated
whether the pastor should be sustained in his puri-
fying process in the church, and a small majority
voted that the scandals should be let alone. The
next evening I was informed of the decision, and at
once resigned. A large number of the church were
dissatisfied, aud in a few days called for letters to
organize a new church, to be called the "Harmony
Baptist Church of Racine." It was organized with
fifty-two members, and procured a hall in which to
worship. The E-ev. N. Barrel was chosen pastor.
I was at this time really unable to preach, owing
to loss of voice occasioned by the lake winds. I
was advised by the physicians to remove from the
lake shore. Accordingly I went to Sparta, a small
village between bluffs, in the western part of the
RACINE. 239
State. Here I found a small Baptist churcli des-
titute of a pastor, and much depressed in spirit.
The landlady at the hotel informed me where one
of the deacons lived, and I called on him. He
proved to be an old acquaintance of mine from New
York. He at once suggested the appointment of a
meeting. I tried to plead off on account of my
health, but he insisted, and the appointment was
made. Without going into all the details, I staid in
Sparta seven weeks, and preached every day and
evening ! The Lord worked wonders in the midst
of the people. I baptized eighty-two, making a
clean sweep in some families — merchants, mechanics,
farmers, aged and youth. I returned at the end of
seven weeks, much improved by my residence away
from the lake shore.
About this time, Mr. Goble, the missionary to
Japan, returned to this country, and I volunteered
to assist him and the Free Mission Society in
raising a fund for his outfit, that he might return to
that needy missionary field. In Wisconsin, and in
spite of my feebleness of health, I raised nearly
fifteen hundred dollars ; and then went to New York
State, to present the same cause to the churches.
240 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTEK XIX.
RE-SETTLEMENT AT WARSAW.
IN the course of my rounds, I stopped at Warsaw,
where I had labored with such delightful harmony
seventeen years before. As a result of this transient
visit, the church gave me a call to re-settle with
them as pastor. After duly considering the
question — for a re-settlement is a more difficult
question to decide than a first settlement — I
consented. This was in 1859.
I found the church in an altogether different state
from the one they were in when I left them for
Wheatland, in 1844. But few of the old members
remained, and the church was rent with unhappy
dissensions, that had greatly weakened their
strength and disheartened their spirit. Yet there
were a number of old, staunch friends of the cause,
who were unmoved by the adverse influences about
them. All the ministers in the Association had
been removed, either by death or settlement
RE-SETTLEMENT AT WARSAW. 241
elsewhere, except Rev. H. B. Ewell, of Pavilion.
He still "staid by the stuff;" though as pastor of
that church, but little could be done, except to
"strengthen the things that remained."
The year following was one of alternate fear and
hope. I spent the winter in laboring with the
pastors at Wyoming, at Elmira, at Brockport, at
LaGrange. At Wyoming, Brother A. A. Russell
was pastor. This church had often received and
enjoyed the Divine Presence in the salvation of
souls. At Elmira, Rev. E. F. Crane was pastor ;
at Brockport, Brother E. Nisbet ; and at LaGrange,
Brother L. Brasted.
In the midst of these revival influences, the
mutterings of civil war were heard in the distance,
which turned the attention of the whole community
in a new channel. My second pastorate at Warsaw
was not long, and was much broken into by the
evangelistic labors mentioned. Still, I trust
something was done in the year I was with them
at this time.
242 FROiM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT,
CHAPTER XX,
LAGEANGE — THE WAB.
/TV HE church at LaGrange had invited me to
-L become their pastor, and in April I was settled
with them in that capacity. No sooner had I got
fairly at work, than the call of President Lincoln
came over the wires for seventy-five thousand men
to defend the country in its hom^ of peril. I at
once wrote to two sons we had living in Minnesota
to enlist in their country's service, urging upon
them the importance of the sacrifice, and stirring
their patriotism by reminding them of the Revolu-
tionary heroes. The younger son had already
enlisted, and was at Fort Snelling when the letter
reached him. The elder had a family, and hesitated
for a time, but afterwards entered the service, and
was with Gren. Sherman in his march to the sea.
He received a wound and came home to die shortly
afterwards, leaving a widow with three little
children. I expected my younger son had fallen
LAGRANGE THE WAR. 243
with the multitude of others in the Bull Kun
blunder and disaster ; and, although I was then at
the somewhat advanced age of fifty-seven, I had
resolved to take the place of my fallen boy, if the
Government would accept my poor person. I
wrote to the Hon. Mr. Rice, M. C. from Minnesota,
asking if it was a fact that my son was killed, and
telling him my determination in case he was. He
showed the letter to some friend, and the War Depart-
ment at once sent me recruiting orders to raise a
company of cavalry in Wyoming and Genesee
counties. I laid this proposition before the church
where I had so recently settled. They gave their
consent with a hearty good will, voting to let my
family remain in the parsonage and to furnish them
with a living the remainder of the year. Twenty-
seven in the community enlisted in one week, many
of them my own members and personal friends ; and
in fifteen days I had enrolled over three hundred.
We went into camp at Westfield, where the
regiment was completed and afterwards mustered
into the service. My men were divided up into
one full company, of which I was elected captain,
and part of two companies, of one of which W. G.
Bentley was elected captain, and the rest went into
244 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
a company of which Capt. Tozer had command.
In a few days we were transferred to Washington,
where we went into winter quarters. On our way
to the seat of war, our regiment stopped for one or
two weeks in Albany. While there, Rev. E. L.
Magoon, D. D., presented me with a cavalry sabre,
supposed to be of genuine Damascus steel, that
had been in service in Oliver Cromwell's day. Its
scabbard had long since been lost. It was presented
on Sabbath evening in the First church, of which
he was then pastor. The large audience-room was
crowded in every part, my company occupying the
front center pews. The Doctor made a thrilling
speech, as he very well kaows how to. I wish it
was in print. The next Sunday evening, I made an
address in the Pearl-street church, on the subject
of Bible Distribution, at a meeting of the A. and
F. B. Society. The Baptists of Albany were
sound to the core on the war question.
We left the next Tuesday for the jfront, having
received our commissions, uniforms for the men,
and for the first time we went into camp in tents in
Washington. To sleep on the ground under canvas,
to eat without a table, made a few hang their lips
and look a little watery about the eyes. It began
LAGEANGE THE WAR. 245
to look a little like war, and yet we had not seen
blood, nor smelt gunpowder. This first night in
Washington was an exception during our stay, for
we soon had things in comfortable shape ; our tents
were pitched in order and looked like a village ; we
extemporized tables and chairs, and had little sheet-
iron stoves. Our provision was abundant, and, as a
general rule, good : beef, pork, sugar, cofi'ee, tea,
rice and potatoes twice a week, and first-class bread
all the time. We were a happy family of men for
being away from home.
Our chaplain had not yet come, so I occupied his
place by the request of the oflScers of the staff.
Respect and reverence, at least outward, were
shown for religion by officers and men. In a month
or six weeks our chaplain arrived, and I went to his
tent at my earliest convenience to bid him a hearty
welcome, and to say that I had acted as volunteer
chaplain in his absence. I found him quite pleasant,
and assured him that anything I could do to keep
him in his position would be a pleasure for me.
The next day was inspection. Out he came,
mounted on a fine horse, with his orderly carrying
his Bible and hymn book. The boys thought this
was preparing rather loftily to preach the Gospel.
246 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
Inspection was about ten o'clock in the morning.
At eleven, the religious services would occur. We
had a full band, the most of them being Christian
men, and had up to this time done honor to them-
selves in aiding the worship. At the time appointed,
they were in their places and played "Old Hundred"
in fine strains, and then out came the chaplain,
mounted, and with his orderly bringing his Bible.
The congregation, rank and file, was about four
hundred, including the colonel, lieutenant-colonel
and, I think, all the line officers. His text was,
"Endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ;"
and than gave the officers what the boys called
"Hail Columbia;" expressed what he should expect
of them, and what they might expect of him. He
then talked to the men as though they were a mean,
profane set of rowdies, closing up his introductory
sermon by calling on me to pray. I felt like saying :
''Good Lord, deliver us!" but I didn't, out loud.
The colonel in going to his quarters, said : "Well, if
ever I hear him again, it will be because he can run
faster than I can." The next Sabbath was a fine day,
and all at service, of rank and file and all, was about
eighty; the next Sabbath, only fifteen. This was
the last gathering of the regiment to hear him. The
men would not come out.
LAGRANGE — THE WAR. 247
In March 1862, we were ordered to march to
Yorktown. We left camp in the midst of a rain
and snow storm. By order of the colonel, I was
to have command of the camp and the sick of the
regiment, he also leaving in my care the commissary
stores. We then had about two hundred disabled
men, the measles having had quite a march through
our camp. I was ordered to muster out of service
all disabled men, pronounced unfit for service by
the surgeon, and to return to the Department all
stores on hand. I found I had a job on my hands.
Every man who had the ear-ache or a sore toe
wanted to go home. Some were really sick, and
would be of no service. Others were home-sick^
and nothing could cure them but the sight of
mother, wife or sweetheart. So, we took them in
squads, day after day, to the War Department to be
examined, and if really unfit for the service, to be
discharged. It was amusing, not to say anything
else, to see how lame some of them were as we
started for the city, about two miles and-a-half off.
Some of them had provided themselves with
crutches for the occasion, who the day before could
run and jump. K mustered out, they would send
back their crutches to camp for the next squad.
248 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
lu about four weeks I was relieved of this
disagreeable command, and took such of the number
as were considered able-bodied, and started for
Yorktown, down the Potomac. There were many
amusing incidents m the mustering-out business,
previous to our departure. In the office, the mus-
tering-out officer was a strong Catholic, a Captain
, a most profane swearer, and always indulging
his profane tongue. On one or two occasions I had
gently reproved him, citing him to the regulations
of the army on the subject, being positively for-
bidden by war-department law. During one of
these little interviews, a gentleman of my acquaint-
ance came in and addi-essedme as "Elder Stimson."
"Why," said the captain, "what are you Elder of?"
My friend replied, "He is a minister of the Baptist
Church, and highly thought of. I have known him
as such for twenty-five years." To which the captain
replied : "Oh, what a pity ! you ought to be a good
Catholic, and have your sins pardoned every day, as
we do." "Yes," said I, "and then swear all the rest
of the time, and get drunk and fight, mixing up in
all the brawls in the whisky shops." He never tried
again to convert me to the "Ao?y Catholic Church.
As we were ready to march to Yorktown, a young
LAGRANGE — THE WAR. 249
Captain Doolittle, son of Hon. J. K. Doolittle of
Wisconsin, was standing with me at the door of the
mansion where we had taken breakfast, when his
father said to him: "Well, my son, be faithful to
your duty and your country. If you fall at York-
town, be buried there. It's sacred ground ; made so
by the army of the Revolution and by the presence
of Washington who defeated the British." Old
Senator Preston King was standing by, and with a
twinkle of the eye, said : "Yes, Henry, if you find
yourself dead, tell them ycfur father wanted you
buried there." This remark changed all the faces of
the bystanders.
This son of Senator Doolittle was a noble specimen
of a young man. A graduate of a New England
college, he had given some attention to military
drill, and had been commissioned captain of cavalry
by President Lincoln, by special order. He had
just been appointed on Gen. Schuyler Hamilton's
staff, and was going down to take his place. Gen.
Hamilton and his staff were ordered to the "Army
of the Cumberland," where Capt. Doolittle was
taken sick, and from which he came home to die,
respected and beloved by all who knew him.
While we were encamped at Washington, during
250 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT*
the winter of 1861-1862, the greater part of our
time was spent in drill in the cavalry tactics. Our
colonel was detailed on a long and difficult case of
court martial, so that the command devolved on the
lieutenant colonel, an ambitious and austere upstart
who had only a smattering of military science, and
was very severely afflicted with the disease prevalent
sometimes out of camp as well as in, known as
** big-head." In his case it assumed a malignant
type. I had been for a long time detailed on
another branch of duty, and had not been as much
drilled in marching as I thought I ought to be. So I
got excused by the colonel and went into the drill of
marching with the other officers of the regiment, under
the instruction of our young lieutenant colonel,
who "magnified" his office as much as ever a "onct-
a-month" preacher did by "holding on" two mortal
hours at a time ; or ever a new-fledged deacon did
by giving his elderly pastor advice as to the best
method of preaching, showing him a more excellent
way. As I came out of my tent one day to fall into
line, with my cavalry boots all polished up, one of
the officers said, "Well, Captain, you look as nice
as a new pin — boots all shining and white gloves on.
The gloves may possibly come back all right, but
LAGRANGE THE WAR. 251
those boots won't, after Lieut. H nas marched
you through a few puddles, as he marches us every
day. I'll bet you will be willing to make an affi-
davit, when we come back, that the boots are made
of Maryland clay, and that you will never put them
on again." Our parade ground was ornamented
with a number of little sink holes. I repKed,
"Perhaps he will march me thi'ough mud holes, but
I think not, if I can get around them, and I think
I can. On we went to the parade ground, marching
and counter-marching for an hour or two. Finally
we were all formed into line in the form of a pla-
toon, and after "front dress," "guide right," the
command came, "march." After we had marched
twenty or thirty rods, I saw right in front of me,
one of those puddles. I said to the captain at my
side, "File to your left when we get to that mud-
hole." When we came to it we filed off to right
and left. Just as we were in this harmless act of self-
defense — at least boot defense — the lieutenant saw
us being a little out of order, and cried out, "Steady,
steady, there ! Close up, close up ! What kind of
a movement is that?" Our line was again soon
formed, and on we marched to our quarters. We
were halted at his tent and formed into a semi-circle,
252 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
as was his formal custom, to be dismissed, when he
complimented the officers for the improvement they
were making in marching. He also added, "As to
Captain Stimson, if at any time he comes to a mud-
hole and thinks he can't go through it, if he will
just speak to me, I will take him on my back and
carry him over." I doffed my hat and said, smiling,
"Thank you, Lieutenant Colonel, I have one objec-
tion to that. We were promised horses to ride, when
we enlisted, and I should be ashamed to be seen
mounted on a jackass." All the officers threw up
their caps and cheered most lustily for the "old
captain.** Did I say all the officers? I think the
lieutenant did not. In 1869 I met the colonel in
Troy, New York. After making a few customary
inquiries, and finding that I was then living in
Kansas, he asked, "Do you ride a jackass out in
that country?" I replied, "Not much."
But to return to our embarking at Washington
for Yorktown. We embarked at Alexandria on
board the old "North Kiver" boat the "Knicker-
bocker." It was crowded to its utmost capacity.
We stopped opposite Mount Yernon, and had an
opportunity to visit the tomb of Washington. The
next morning we found ourselves at anchor at a
LAGRANGE THE WAR. 253
place called Saint Mary's, the wind blowing a gale.
The commander of the boat dare not enter Chesa-
peake Bay at the time, as the vessel was not equal
to a heavy sea. So we practiced patience forty-
eight hours, waiting for the wind to go down. The
first day passed pleasantly enough, especially as the
colored people brought fresh plump oysters aboard
and sold them for twenty-five cents a bushel. But
the next day the bread and butter part of our
rations was almost minus. The darkies did the
best they could to relieve our wants by peddling
"hoe cakes." But cold "hoe cakes" and no butter
were hardly atoned for by oysters at twenty-five
cents a bushel. The decks and walks of that old
boat were covered from stem to stern with oyster
shells, and still we were not satisfied. The Captain
was better contented, as the Government was paying
him seven hundred dollars a day for his boat. He
looked as though he didn't care how long we lay
there. It's astonishing how patient some men are,
and also what an intimate connection there is
between money and the exercise of this virtue of
patience ! Job is certainly deserving of the dis-
tinction of the "patientest man," in vievr of the
sudden loss of his great property. It's a crowning
254 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
virtue to "take joyfully the spoiling of our goods."
This loss tests the nerves that connect with patience,
sooner than does the loss of friends. Poor people,
who have conquered themselves so as to be habit-
ually patient, have attained to the distinction of
sainthood in the true sense.
On this trip, no one officer had command of all
the men. They were in squads of from twenty to
one hundred. Some were new recruits from New
York and Brooklyn, and belonged to the class of
"hard cases" in a metropolitan sense. A young
man in command of them would have about as
much control over them as a child would have in
conducting a tribe of Comanche Indians on a buffalo
hunt. Sunday morning came and found us in this
sad plight : card playing, the singing of vulgar
songs, dancing, swearing — ever}i;hing that was
disgraceful and mean in the eyes of an American
citizen. The few officers there were of us called a
meeting in a side place, and proposed to have order
on board in some shape. It was then proposed to
appouit an officer of the day, whose duty it should
be to see that things were set to rights and order
restored. A suggestion was also made to have
religious services at eleven o'clock. Captain
LAGRANGE THE WAR. 255
H. Doolittle was appointed "officer of the day," with
two assistants ; and we agreed to sustain the captain
in his command. The captain put on the red sash
prescribed in the army regulations, and putting on
his sword walked out on the deck, and in a loud
and commanding voice said : "Attention, soldiers !"
All eyes were turned to see where the voice came
from and who it was who spoke with accustomed
authority. "It is ordered and commanded that all
loud talking and all playing now cease, and that this
boat now be cleaned up. At eleven o'clock we will
have chapel services conducted by Captain H. K.
Stimson, of the Ninth New York Cavalry ; and for
this purpose, I appoint Lieutenant F. and Lieutenant
B. to take charge of the upper deck, and Captain M.
and Sergeant V. to take command of the cabin.
These officers will detail a force sufficient to see this
order carried out." The appointment of these
subordinate officers was all arranged beforehand,
they being present at the council meeting in the
corner. Soon, men were busy at work clearing up
the ship, and Captain Doolittle walked the deck and
through the cabin with as much dignity as General
Winfield Scott. A few of the New York roughs
attempted to let off some of their extra steam by
256 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
making a uoise, but a prompt intimation from Captain
Doolittle that the first man who disobeyed the order
would be put in irons, made them as still as mice.
At eleven o'clock, as many as wished came into the
main cabin, and I talked to them a little while from
the words, "Contend earnestly for the faith once
delivered to the saints." The day passed off with
less turmoil than we had anticipated in the morning.
When we got to "Shipping Point," where we
disembarked, the green lieutenant from Brooklyn
was much disturbed when he found out about the
authority we had been assuming for the sake of
order on board the boat. But it was too late to
make any fuss about it. We justified ourselves on
the ground of military necessity ! The next
Tuesday, we joined our several commands at
Yorktown.
After we landed at "Shipping Point," we were
invited on board the "K. S. Spaulding," an iron
Government steamer, the head-quarters of Gen.
Slocum. Here we remained two days, waiting for
an escort to protect us in marching to the Union
army, as the rebel scouts infested the wilderness
between this landing and Yorktown. While staying
here, I had a good chance of seeing the workings
LAGRANGE THE WAR. 257
of the war system. Professing to have some
regard to honesty and fair dealing, I was not a
little shocked at some things I witnessed.
Near by where we lay at anchor, was a cove made
from the river, in which was a large bed of oysters,
containing about four acres, owned by a rebel
farmer, the main source of his support for a
numerous family. Our troops had waded into the
water, and by feeling with the bare feet, had robbed
the poor rebel of all his oysters next to the shore ;
and when these were all exhausted, had gone to the
old man, hearing that he had two or three oyster
boats hid away in his garret, and proposed to buy
them at a very high price. The purchase money
was some counterfeit rebel currency that a Yankee,
indeed, had manufactured for such emergencies, and
which could be bought at wholesale for about
twenty-five cents a ten-dollar bill. It was well
executed, and none but an expert could tell the
difference between the two counterfeits — the coun-
terfeit proper and the "counterfeit" of which this
was a counterfeit. There was quite a trade carried
on by way of disposing of this false scrip. With
this worthless imitation of a worthless currency,
the poor farmer was paid for his boats. In these,
258 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
the soldiers launched out into the deep portions
of the cove, and "hooked" all the rest of the
oysters, stripping the old man of all his dependence
for a living, and robbing him of his boats besides.
We called at his house and heard his story, and
saw the counterfeit currency with which he had
been plundered. It was sad to sit and listen to
his tale of sorrow. His wife was from one of
the "F. F. V.'s," and was wrought up to good
fighting condition while the old gentleman related
the facts of the swindle and pillage. She wished
all sorts of iUs on the "confounded Yankees."
If she had the power, she would "po^on the
whole race of them, and let them lie on top of the
ground to feed the turkey buzzards." I said I
hoped she wouldn't do it. That this act was
contrary to General McClellan's order I assured her ;
and that they ought to have taken a receipt for
the oysters, and at some future day the United
States Government would have paid the bill.
This so exasperated the old lady, that I acted at
once on the maxim that prudence is the better
part of valor, and left the house, bidding them
good-day. We found that that system of "pro-
tection" did not work to suij the rebels, or to
LAGRANGE — THE WAR. 259
the securing of obedience on the part of the
federal army.
We had a similar case at Yorktown, within two
miles of Gen. McClellan's head-quarters. Near
our camp was the large plantation of an old
Virginia gentleman, who owned some twenty-five
slaves, all connected by blood or marriage. The
old man was a staunch Confederate, and had two
sons in the Southern service as officers. Being
only three miles from Yorktown, he had applied
for protection from "vandalism" by our men. A
guard was detailed every day for that purpose,
consisting of six men. The thing was looked upon
as a very desirable duty on the part of the soldiers.
So that, at nine o'clock in the morning, when the
detail left for the plantation, there was quite a
strife to see who should be selected. I had a
boy who acted as cook and table waiter. When
it came my turn to be officer of the day, he came
and said he desired to be detailed to serve on the
guard at the plantation. I consented, and Orderly
Sergeant Strong so appointed him. As he was
leaving for his post, I asked him why he wished
to be appointed to go and stay there twenty-four
hours. "Well, Captain, we can get hoe cake and
260 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
milk and other nice things there, and then we can
instruct them darkies in some useful lessons for
their benefit." He at once fell into line and
marched off.
The next morning, the old planter came into
camp with a sorry face, and made complaint to the
colonel that eight of his slaves had run away the
night before ; and he wanted the colonel to order a
larger guard for that day. It so happened that
our colonel did not think very highly of ^^ abolition."
He did not come into the army to fight for "niggers,"
but for the "Constitution." But he was willing to
fight for the "niggers" in the sense of their appre-
hension and return to slave-owners. So, he ordered
the guard doubled. But the next day, back came
the old planter, with the complaint that nine more
of his "chattels" had departed, leaving only an old
man and woman, the parents and grandparents of
six little children, on his hands to be supported.
The colonel heard his doleful complaint, and sent
for me. As I came into his tent, he said : "Captain,
what does this mean? This gentleman says his
servants have run away. Do you know anything
about it?" I replied: "I am not officer of the
day. I was yesterday. How should I know
LAGilANGE — THE WAR. 261
anything about it?" The colonel, turning to the
planter, said: "Well, old man, we can't keep
niggers from running away, as long as General
Wool is harboring them at Fortress Monroe.
the black cusses ; the sooner you are rid
of them, the better it will be for you." "Oh, no !"
said the planter; "they are my main dependence.
Who can ever do our labor for us?" "Set your
rebel sons at work. It will do them good, and be
much better for them than to be in the fort at
Yorktown in this rebellion." The old
"F. F. V." planter left the camp without saying,
"Good morning, sir." The colonel ordered the
officer of the day to recall the guard, and let the
"rebs" take care of themselves and their "nicrorers."'
It remains to be said that, in less than eight-and-
forty hours the old man's barn couldn't boast a
board or his fence a picket. And it was said by
the boys, that his hen-roost was as silent as a
graveyard. This closed up our guarding of rebel
property.
The whole talk was that a great and terrible fight
was about to come off, and that at least 30,000 lives
must be sacrificed on our side, not to speak of the
rebel loss. The wide circulation and deepening of
262 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT
this horrible expectation, and the prevalence of
typhoid fever, which was carrying off the men
by hundreds and thousands, had then a most
depressing effect on the courage of our troops.
Everything looked dark and threatening to them.
General McClellan was the "Napoleon," the chief
captain of the American army. To lisp a word
against McClellan, was a high crime and misde-
meanor. The officer who dared breathe a breath of
suspicion that he was not the greatest of generals,
was ordered to report at the War Department at
Washington, as was the case with Gen. Hamilton,
and others. This idolization of Gen. McClellan, for
a time was an American mania, and will form an
interesting, as well as sad chapter in the future
reliable history of the great conflict, that will not be
written while the generation of men now livmg
remains. In our opinion, he attained a greater and
more sudden reputation, and on a smaller capital,
than any other man ever has on the American conti-
nent. The point of space he will occupy on the
page of permanent history will be exceedingly fine.
The order was for us to keep at work building
causeways, so as to make an easy way for retreat, in
case of battle. Thus things went on for a long tune,
LAGRANGE — THE WAR. 263
till one day Mr. Lowe went up in his balloon, accom-
panied with Gen. Stoneman, to take an observation
of the fort at Yorktown. They had ascended about
five hundred feet, when the rebels threw a small
shell in nearly a line shot at the balloon, bm-sting
within a short distance of it. This was on Friday,
about four o'clock, p. M. Sunday morning at sun-
rise, the news was in cu-culation that Gen. Magruder
was vacating the fort at Yorktown, and all must be
in preparation for marching orders at the shortest
notice. We need not detain the reader in describing
what followed. Two days afterwards, a part of Joe
Johnson's division of the rebel forces were overtaken
at Williamsburgh, Va., and another small conflict
occurred at West Point. These were only preludes
to the great "Retreat" of McClellan to Harrison's
Landing ; a military maneuver that well entitles its
author to the distinction of the "Great Retreater."
If he had only turned "right about face," and made
provision as rapidly for hacking down into the rebel
country, he might have anticipated Sherman in his
march to the sea, by at least two years. He never
ought to have fought with his face to the enemy.
Those in front of him had nothing to fear. He was
dangerous only to those in his rear, as the Union
264 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
cause can abundantly testify. What a pity that the
Government did not understand his tactics, and insist
on his setting out on a march to the North ! But
then it's the fate of great men to be misunderstood.
Where is General George B. McClellan?
The fact was that the Ninth New York Calvary
had not, up to this time, been fully mounted or
equipped. An effort had been made the winter
previous to disorganize all the mounted troops in the
army. Senator Nesmith, of California, had made a
long and discouraging speech on mounted soldiers,
including more ridicule than argument. Senator
Sprague of Rhode Island, wanted a larger amount of
artillery. These mere politicians desired to give
shape to the warfare according to their "parlor"
ideas. As though they knew an3rthing of how the
campaign ought to be waged ! That our cause
succeeded in spite of such advocates and some such
generals, is a proof beyond question that it was on
the side of humanity and right. The leading, prac-
tical men wanted a larger force of mounted soldiers.
But at this early day of the war, politicians not
only constantly interfered with, but positively
controlled the military movements of the men who
were tiredly waiting to redeem their country from
I
LAGRANGE THE WAR. 265
its thralldom. It was not a little amusing, as well
as a good deal provoking, to sit in the galleries of
the Senate and see what strategy and prowess these
brave political heroes evinced, and with what dis-
patch they were going to subdue the rebellion and
make "secession" bite the dust. It often made me
think of that brave command that "marched up the
hill, and then marched down again." These would-
be "leaders" had more to do with keeping the cavalry
from being mounted, and with depriving the country
for a long time of the valuable aid this important arm
of the service could render, than all other persons
and causes put together. Of course they had in the
field certain officers who were their tools. Thus the
military field and the political field were co-operative
in a very ridiculous, if it were not so sad a sense.
The purpose of some of these "loyal" men may be
discovered yet, now that the discovery will do no
good.
Eflbrts were continually made to induce the
cavalry regiment to disband and enter the infantry
service. I knew of one fine cavahy regiment, the
Seventh New York, called the "Black Horse Cavalry,"
from Troy, that was disbanded at the beginning of
the war. But our men disdained to be disbanded,
266 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
and insisted on being mounted and equipped. They
found out that they could not be forced into any
other arm of the service against their will. Another
fact most patent and injurious in its influence on the
spirits and discipline of the men, was the compar-
ative ignorance of both the colonel and lieutenant-
colonel, of cavalry tactics. They cut a ridiculous
figure on horseback. Of course they owed their
promotions to political wire-pulling. So, when we
went down to Yorktown, our men consented to be
armed with Austrian rifles and go as an escort to
Gen. Hunter's park of artillery. When we arrived
at Yorktown, the men concluded that they had
finished their mission as an escort, and laid down
their arms, fully resolved not to take them up, but
to hold themselves ready any moment to be mounted
and equipped as cavalry. In this condition of things
they remained at Yorktown without drill, the
most of the staff officers using all their influence and
intrigue to induce the men to be transferred to the
infantry.
At this juncture, I was sent to Baltimore with the
wounded and prisoners from the battle of Williams-
burgh, with liberty to go to Washington on a sick
leave of absence for two weeks. It was also sug-
LAGRANGE — THE WAR. 267
gested by all the line officers and a few of the staff,
that while in Washington I should see Secretary
Stanton about our regiment, if something couldn't be
done to relieve us of the embarrassment in which
we found ourselves in consequence of the deadening
delay. After disposing of the wounded and pris-
oners at Baltimore, I hastened to Washington. On
reaching the War Department, Mr. Stanton informed
me that at General McClellan*s request, the Ninth
New York Cavalry were ordered to Albany to be
mustered out of service for insubordination ! I was
surprised, mortified, indignant, and righteously
wrathy. I denied the charge then and there as
utterly false. I told the honorable Secretary that
the Ninth regiment was made up of the best class of
volunteers the State of New York could boast.
And I added, "If the country and its officials think
we are not needed, we can well afford to go home.
But if it is on the charge of insubordination that we
are relieved, we can never go home to look in the
face our wives, our children and our fellow-citizens.
We enlisted as cavalry, and as such, we are willing
to remain in the service of the Government, and
"fight it out to the bitter end," but we do protest
against being transferred into the infantry, and thus
break up our organization as cavalry."
268 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
"Well, Captaiu Stimson, you better go to Albany
and see Governor E. D. Morgan. I will give you
leave of absence, and a pass to Albany. If you
start this evening, you can reach Albany to-morrow
by noon." "Thank you, Mr. Secretary." He
ordered my pass made out, and I called on two of
our members of Congress, Hon. A. Frank and
Hon. R. E. Pent on, who gave me letters of intro-
duction to Governor Morgan. The next day at
ten o'clock a. m., I was in Albany and obtained an
introduction to the Governor personally by an old
friend, George Dawson, editor of the Evening
Journal. I presented my pass and leave of absence,
and at once made known the object of my business.
He appeared as much surprised as I was on hearing
it, and said, "I will telegraph at once to Mr. Lincoln.
You call to-morrow morning at eleven and I will let
you know the result." At the appointed hour I
was admitted to the Governor's room, when he read
me a copy of his telegram to Mr. Lincoln. It was
as follows :
"ilfr. Lincoln^ President of the United States:
" Sir : I am informed by an officer of the Ninth
regiment of New York cavalry that an order has
LAGRANGE — THE WAR. 269
been issued by the War Department to muster out of
the service said regiment. I hojpe and earnestly
request that said order may be countermanded, and
if the Government cannot mount and equip said
troops, call on the State of New York, through its
proper executive, and it shall be done.
(Signed), E. D. Morgan,
Governor of New York.'*
Mr. Lincoln replied by telegram :
"jB'. D, Morgan, Governor of the State of New
York:
"Sir : The order to muster out the Ninth regiment
of New York cavalry is countermanded, and the
regiment will be here soon, to be equipped and
mounted at the earliest possible moment.
(Signed), A. Lincoln."
Characteristic. No red tape. Direct. Inde-
pendent. Eminently sensible. Hearty. Lincoln
had a clear head ; but he had also what, in the old
Bible language, is called "bowels," a quality just as
important as judgment, or justice. He was no
petrified piece of last century's wisdom, having no
interest in "personal matters," as Sumner once
imperiously said of himself. Lincoln had a per-
sonal interest in "personal matters," and did not
270 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
try to put himself above the Almighty, who cer-
tainly interests Himself in "personal matters."
My health at this time was much impaired,
having had an attack of the typhoid fever while at
Yorktown; and having a leave of absence of six
weeks from duty, from the Secretary of War, I
went home to see my family, then residing at
LaGrange, New York. It was evident to my
physician, at the end of my furlough, that I was
not fit for active service. So he sent on to the
Department a certificate of the facts, and I was
granted a leave of absence for an indefinite time.
Soon after this I was taken worse, and so continued
for the next eighteen months. During the time, I
sufiered a shock of paralysis in my entire right side,
so disabling me as to prostrate my energies for the
next two years, not permitting me to leave my
house for that length of time, with one exception,
and that to vote. I was taken in a carriage on a
mattress to the polls, and returned to my dwelling
to remain there all winter. The longest sickness
in all my life.
During this confinement and severe suffering,
a few discontented persons, who had not been
personally enriched or honored by the war as they
LAGRANGE THE WAR. 271
had desired, commenced a series of mean acts,
accompanied with meaner invective against me, the
whole amounting to the crudest persecution, being
at a time when I was wholly unable to defend
myself or rebuke them. In making up my
accounts in the- enlistment of my company, I had
intrusted the keeping of the books to two men
who had joined the company, who were evidently
prompted by the lofty purpose of enriching them-
selves out of the spoils of the war. It is believed
by some that there were other individuals of the
same tribe of human jackalls "in the service of
their country." These two men, in company with
a hotel-keeper who had quartered some of my men
and the band of musicians I had employed during
the time of enlistment, had conspired to have mie
indicted before the grand jury of the United
States Court holding its session at Buffalo.
The deputy marshal called and made a service
of the warrant on me. But I was unable to be
moved, and so let the matter rest. These pretended
patriotic gentlemen were not well suited with the
leniency of the marshal who had served the
warrant ; and so sent off to a distant part of the
State and got their man, a perfect Nero, to do
272 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
their dirty, cruel work. He came into the place
and stopped at the hotel above mentioned; and
after getting well whisky ed-up, he got an old coop
of a hack, and two rowdy assistants to help him
secure his prey. Up they came to my residence,
and bolted in with all the courage of grenadiers,
as if to arrest some monster guilty of sedition
and murder. With great pomp and show of
authority, he made known the object of his visi-
tation. I was in bed, where I had been for months.
I was not dressed, and had not been for a long time.
My wife and children were all amazement at this
strange manner of address to a sick and, as they
supposed, dying husband and father. They of
course knew not what to say or do. I politely
suggested that I would be glad to send into the
village for friends to assist me. "No," he replied ;
"I can give you all the assistance you need. I will
have you in Albany to-morrow." My wife said :
"Why, sir, the man is not able to be moved; he
has not been out of his room for weeks. I would
as soon think of moving a dead man." "Can't help
it, madam ; he must go alive if he can, and if not,
dead." So I was dressed and hurried into his
rickety old hack, and driven to the depot.
LAGKANGE — ^THE WAE. 273
At Batavia, we were obliged to wait three or
four hours to make connection. The news was
soon circulated that I was at the depot under
arrest by the United States Marshal, and the
people flocked in to see me and proposed to become
bail for my appearance at Court. He said he did
not know what the bail would be, and that he
could not and would not consent. Neither would
he allow me to go to a friend's house, near the
depot, and stay while we were waiting for the
train. "No, sir." A friend then asked him if he
would furnish me with a sleeping-car berth? He
said he could not do it. The friend then handed
him the money to pay for a berth, and he took it in
my presence. As soon as the train arrived, 1 was
hurried into a crowded car, and seated with the
marshal and two miserable drunken rowdies of the
baser sort. I said, "Marshal, can't you get me a
sleeping-car?" "When we get to Kochester, I may,
possibly ; but I can't now." It was now past ten
o'clock at night, and I was much exhausted by
the fatigue of waiting so long and the excitement.
At Rochester, he secured the berth. The night
was cold, and I suffered all the way from the
constant opening and shutting of the doors. A
274 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
little after daylight, we arrived at Albany. He
procured a carriage, and then asked me if I would
like breakfast before he took me to prison. "Yes,"
I replied; "and I have friends in the city whom I
would like to see." ^^ Friends! Who in are
your friends here?" I replied, "All my friends
are not in that bad place." "Well, I will take you
to a hotel to get breakfast, and then we will see
about friends.'' We halted at a low, third-class
house, and I was helped up stairs and laid on a
sofa. I asked the porter to have the clerk call up
where I was. He soon came, and I asked him to
write a couple of short notes for me, as I was
unable to write for myself. He wrote the following :
"^n. George Dawson:
"Dear Sie : — I am here at the Hotel, under
an arrest by the United States Marshal. Will you
call on me soon, and oblige,
"Yours in bonds,
H. K. Stimson."
A similar one was also sent to Rev. J. D. Fnlton,
D.D. A boy was dispatched to carry them to their
respective addresses. While I was sipping m}- coffee,
and attempting to swallow a little breakfast brought
up by a waiter, in came the "friends" addressed.
LAGRANGE — THE WAR. 275
They both exclaimed as they entered: ''Why
Stimson, what has brought you here ? we supposed
you were dead, or near to it." I replied : "Not
dead, and the way I came here, was by the force of
the United States Marshal." At this moment he
came in, and seeing Mr. Dawson sitting in front of
me and holding my hand, doffed his hat and stam-
mered out: "Good m-orn-ing, Mr. Dawson." Mr.
Dawson at this arose from his seat, and said to the
marshal : "Why, what in the name of common sense
have you brought this sick and dying man here for ?
I would like to know." Mr. Fulton began by asking
him : "Are you human?"
The marshal apologized, and appealed to me if
he had not treated me well, and like a gentleman?
If he had not secured a sleeping-car and a carriage ?
To which I answered : "As to the sleeping-car, a
friend of mine in Batavia gave you the money with
which to pay for it ; as to the ^carriage,' I wish these
gentlemen could see it, I think somebody in the 'hen
business' would like to have it." The fact was, he
had secured his appointment through the influence
of Mr. Dawson, and now began to realize that his
poor, sick prisoner had friends away here in Albany
three hundred miles from home, whom he wished he
276 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
did not know at all. He became exceeding clever to
me, and would do anything for me.
Mr. Dawson said to him : "Well, go and find out
what the bail will be and see that it is forthcoming."
and Fulton said (how characteristic) : "I will take
him to my house, and if he isn't there when you
come, then take myself and wife." He ordered a
carriage, and soon I was in his pleasant home, under
the kind, Christian nursmg of his family. Soon a
physician was sent for, and I was safely out of the
protecting power of this specimen of a human brute,
called a marshal. Mr. Dawson and his partner in
business became my bail, and after a two weeks' rest,
I was sent home in company with kind friends who
volunteered their gratefully received services.
Two of the first lawyers in Western New York
volunteered to defend me — Hon. L. W. Thayer of
Warsaw, and the Hon. Sanford Church, of Albion,
ex-Lieutenant-Governor of New York. At the next
term of the United States Court at Kochester, the
case was called up. Mr. Church addressed the
Court by saying, among other similar things, that,
"this case was an unheard-of transaction in civilized
prosecution, legal or military." Hon. Mr. Thayer
followed, by characterizing the whole affair, from
LAGRANGE — THE WAR. 277
beginning to end, as "unworthy of the cognizance
of any Court," and moved that the Court enter a
nolle jprosequi. The Court so ordered.
The two men who had instituted these proceedings
against me, were men to whom I had shown especial
favor, and had them detailed for less severe service
than the common soldiers. Yet they were the first
to stimulate insubordination, and to embarrass me in
my control of the company. They were clamorous
for their discharge; but I was not able to relieve
them from the obligations that they had voluntarily
assumed — hence their venom. One of them, who
had acted as my company clerk, and plotted my ruin,
has since been found guilty of forgery. I am not
able to say what has become of him. I still live to
pity him, and those that so cruelly conspired with
him against me.
Conscious of my innocence, I did not fear the
result ; yet, I was greatly distressed that I should be
even charged with wrong doing ; and being dragged
away to prison is not very agreeable. There was,
however, one pleasant feature in it, for it discovered
to me friends whose sympathy and friendship is, and
will be so long as I shall live, very sweet to me ;
and I want just here to leave this testimony of my
278 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
gratitude to my comrades and brother officers in the
Ninth New York Cavalry. Their letters came pour-
ing in to the officers of the court, assuring them of
my innocence, and were of great service to me.
Through it all the Lord led me ; surely "He that is
for me is more than they that be against me."
During my long sickness, I had no way of making
money, and I soon consumed what I had. I could
not relieve my mind of anxiety concerning food and
raiment, the means of providing which for my family
I had none, except what was furnished by liberal
friends of all denominations, added to what little my
daughter could make by teaching a small district
school. But we did not come to want. The church
at LaGrange, nine miles off, time and again came
down in force, and brought us supplies of provisions
and money, and, what was worth more than these,
showed a deep, fraternal love for us which greatlj
relieved the tedium of painful and protracted sick-
ness.
I have read the manuscript of Captain Stimson, concerning his con-
nection with the Ninth New York Cavalry, and the facts, as he states
them, are known to me to be true. W. G. Bentley.
St. Louis, February 7, 1874.
HO, FOR KANSAS ! 279
CHAPTER XXI.
HO, FOR KANSAS !
MRS. STIMSON had a brother residmg in
Kansas, who solicited us to come to this new
State, where he thought there would be more
advantages for our children in the way of securing
positions in life, than in the older States. My
physician's advice to seek some milder climate as
the last hope of recovery, had already prepared us
to listen favorably to the Kansas call — not church,
but individual. We had a small place on which we
were living, but there was an incumbrance on it
that certainly we had no very bright hope of ever
removing, under the circumstances of protracted
illness and no income. After weighing the pros and
cons, we concluded to join the army of emigrants
for the far-off West, I expecting to find a grave in
a short time among strangers. We left New York
in April, 1864. I could not walk at the time
without the aid of crutches.
280 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
We stopped in Kinderhook, Michigan, to visit a
dear daughter, with whom we spent two weeks.
Here I attempted to preach for the first time in
nearly two years. This duty, if such it could be
called, I discharged sitting in a chair. I could not
stand in one position long enough to read the Scrip-
ture. We bade adieu to the dear ones in Michigan,
and after a long and tedious journey through
Missouri — the war at the time still raging and
keeping all passengers in a state of constant fear —
we at length arrived at Leavenworth, where our
youngest son was taken sick, detaining us a week at
the hotel, the landlord showing us the kindest
attention. Here I had my first lesson of Kansas
business matters.
I had found out that there was no way of going
to the Neosho valley but by the round-about one of
staging it to Topeka, and then across the country
in a little two-horse hack, over a trackless prairie to
Burlington, and at exorbitant prices all the way.
While we were waiting for the recovery of the boy,
some one suggested that our cheapest way would
be to purchase an outfit of our own ; that a pony
team and a light wagon could take us and baggage
with ease, and that the concern would sell at any
HO, FOR KAXSAS ! 281
time for about what it cost. So I began to look
about for a bargain of the kind. T\Tiile sitting in
the office of the hotel one day, a decently dressed
young man stepped up to me (wholly accidental —
so many interesting things are accidental in Kansas)
and asked me if I didn't wish to procure a team to
go into the country ? I told him I did, if I could
get one" at a reasonable price. He said he had a
good span of ponies and a light wagon, and invited
me to go with him to the feed stable and see them.
So I took my crutch and limped off with him to the
stable, some three or four blocks. He brought
them out and hitched them to his wagon. I saw
that they were larger and better than the average
run of ponies. After we had driven around town
for a while, mostly on the back streets, I suggested
that he drive down one of the main business streets,
and to the hotel. He said the "ponies were afraid
of stages and covered wagons, not being used to
them, and that we had gone far enough for me to
judge." "Well, I like their movement; what is
your price for the outfit?" "Well, I will tell you,
stranger : I am in a hurry to go back to Illinois ;
my father is not expected to live ; I will take two
hundred dollars for the whole ^shebano:.' The
282 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PtJLPlT.
wagon is a little worn, but the harness is new. I
paid forty dollars for it last week." I saw it was
a bargain, and just what I wanted. "Well, young
man, you drive it to the 'Michigan House,' and I
will take it." "Stranger, as I have told you, I don't
like to drive them on the main streets ; they are a
little sheery,^^ "Let me have the reins, then. I'll
risk them. I never saw a horse yet I couldn't
manage some way." But he objected, and put the
team in the stable, and I hobbled back to the hotel,
thinking what strange customs they had in Leaven-
worth, and what a singular breed of ponies.
He had not forgotten to say, however, that he
would be around in the evening and close the trade,
if I said so. I told my landlord what a fine rig I
had found, and that the ponies were shy of the main
streets. He replied, "Mr. Stimson, you will have
to be on your guard against thieves. If that team
and wagon are as you describe them, and can
be had for two hundred dollars, you may be sure
the fellow has not come honestly by them. I will
go over and look at them." In less than thirty
minutes he came back, saying, "Your team has just
been called for by two men from Missouri. They
have been after the fellow the last ten days. They
HO, FOR KANSAS I 283
were stolen in Clay County, Missouri. They have
got the team, but the thief is minus." The ponies
had got over their front-street fright. There are
many plausible thieves in Kansas. The climate, or
soil, or both — or something — seems to promote this
quality of jplausihility in all the somewhat numerous
tribes of thieves m this promising, ambitious and
destined commonwealth. From what high or low
source they may have caught the contagion, the
deponent saith not. But a smoother set of pioneer
thieves never existed. They are so smooth that
they can't be caught ; and if they are caught, they
are so smooth they can't be hung. But, thank God,
they are dying out. That's the only hope.
We took stage for Topeka, and after a long
day's ride, we were set down in that capital of the
new commonwealth. The next morning, at three
o'clock, all five of us were crammed into the little
seven -by -nine hack, without having had any
breakfast. The old rickety concern, we felt, might
fly to pieces any moment. At eleven o'clock, we
were set down to our breakfast of beans and flies,
and it was hard telling which outnumbered the
other. But we found good fare where we stopped
for the night, at least it seemed so then. The next
284 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
morning, we arrived at the county seat of Coffey
County, the humdrum of a place we had had such
glowing accounts of, destined to be a live, wealthy,
business, manufacturing ^ commercial, literary,
political and religious center. Kansas is a very
prolific State in great towns. Cities germinate and
grow, prospectively at least (a very slight qualifi-
cation), with the utmost spontaneity and rapidity
on Kansas soil. In some instances, the wild grass
is not killed out of the avenues before the city
attains its greatest dimensions. There is much in
a name sometimes, as well as in the soil and
climate. There are no villages or towns in Kansas.
The use of the more expansive name of "city"
may account in part for the marvelous dimensions
of some of our places. This and the broad-gauged
term "avenue," confer a metropolitan flavor most
conducive to growth, prospectively at least. The
name "Prairie City" may serve to elucidate our idea
to some of our Kansas readers.
I wish I could describe my first impressions, and
those of my family as we peered out of the woods,
after crossing the Whistler's ford. "There," said the
stage driver, "is the town of Hampden. That box
house is where the printer lives, and that is the office
on the high ground ; and that long low building is
HO, FOR KANSAS ! 285
the court house, and those logs piled up there is a
blacksmith shop, and that is the carriage maker's
place of business." It consisted of a shanty for
hens, and a small barn. I believe I have catalogued
the town ; if not, Colonel F. W. Potter will correct
me. As the girls put their heads out of the stage
and took a view of their new home, I thought I
heard something like a sigh. I don't think it was a
laugh. They were speechless.
I stopped at the printer's, and found our relatives
glad to see us, that is, they said so. And we settled
in the city of Hampden, county seat of Coffey,
Neosho Valley, Kansas. The valley, as a valley, is
all right. That still remains, and is a rich farming
country, destmed some day to be highly cultivated ;
but all independent of Hampden as a county seat.
I soon saw that the political cast of the place was
democratic, and that nothing but pure democracy
would be tolerated as a general thing. Negers were
to have no sympathy, and abolitionists must keep
mum. The war was a failure, Lincoln was a
babboon, George B. McClellan was to be the next
president, and the man who denied it was a fool and
a knave. Such was the political and moral com-
plexion— for the two are similar in such a case — of
the city of Hampden.
286 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
I did once venture cautiously to express my
humble opinion on certain great questions of human-
ity and national policy, and was at once chided as
being out of order at the centre of business ; " it
would not do at the county seat." If a man wanted
to talk that way, he could cross "Whistler's ford"
and relieve his mind, but he could not do so and remain
in "Hampden, county seat of Coffey."
There was one slight drawback, Hampden was a
very dry place. Water could be had by going to the
river, or at Denicke's well. It seldom came down
from above, and it could not be obtained every time
by any means, by digging. Water was worth
something at the "city of Hampden, county seat of
Coffey." Water being an important element in my
religious, moral and sanitary creed, and free-thinking
and free-speaking a cardinal right in my political
creed, I concluded it was best for me to leave
"Hampden, county seat of Coffey." Some thought
we had "missed it." They were correct. We
"missed" about four hundred dollars, all of our
this-world's property, which we had spent in the
flourishing city of "Hampden, county seat of Coffey."
Good-by, "Hampden!" may there never be your
equal this side the millennium. I am sure there will
not be afterwards.
I
287
CHAPTEK XXn.
A KANSAS
)T\HE a. B. H. M. Society had sent me a
J- commission as their missionary for the Neosho
Valley, with om* head-quarters at Humboldt, Allen
County. Our instructions were to explore the
whole valley from Council Grove to the Indian
country. In October, we moved to Humboldt.
My health had so far improved that I was able
to preach once a day on the Sabbath, and occa-
sionally twice, and ride in a buggy from twenty
to forty miles a day. There were then no bridges.
The people had not at that early day invented
county bonds. The accommodation for travelers
was not equal to what I had seen in some parts
of the United States. I can't speak for Europe.
Altogether,— including the extent of my field,
brought to mind past infirmities and the permanent
hold disease had on me, by exposure to storms,
by fording of the streams, and often by swimming
288 rR03I THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
the ponies and carriage, and by the exactions of
the Society calling for just so much labor, whether
it was entirely practicable or not, — ^I was soon
brought nearly down to my sick self again. I
must say, too, that the compensation I received for
these labors was not such as to keep a man's spirit
in an undue state of exhilaration, taking into
account the fact of a large family and also the fact
of war prices. For example, I paid ten dollars
for a hundi-ed weight of flour, thirty-five cents a
pound for bacon, fifty cents a pound for coffee, two
dollars and fifty cents a pound for tea, and for other
things in the same proportion. We had lived all
winter in a room eight-by-fourteen feet. We were
compelled to set our table and chairs out of doors
to make room to go to bed. For this, including
the out-door room, I paid fourteen dollars a month
rent. These e very-day facts were looked at in the
light of wealthy Eastern churches, with good
comfortable parsonages, the members there not
taking the deepest interest in the pioneer work
and workers.
[Talk about heroism ! If you can find those who
endured hardships more manfully, who crucified the
A KANSAS "riELD." 89
flesh more heroically or who labored more abun-
dantly and with a more Christly spirit than some —
we do not say all — of these early pioneers in the
employ of the Home Mission Society, you may
deny the propriety of our language when we call
them heroes, who belonged to an heroic age. Their
fields were sometimes as extensive as half a dozen
Methodist "circuits." They were often away from
home twice as long at a time as the ordinary
"circuit rider." The Methodist system is substan-
tially one of "circuits," even the pastors staying in
a place but for a limited time. So that the early
"circuit rider" was not cut off from the sympathy
of the Church at its great centers of influence. Of
course he endured hardships. Let no one under-
value his work or his personal character. But
much depends on how hardships are encountered.
He encountered them backed up by the whole
influence of a powerful organization that was
making and had always made a chief glory of
abounding in his very kind of labor ; that considered
itself especially called of God to a pioneer work.
And then his work was personally reviewed every
year by his bishop, and his promotion was in pro-
portion to his self-denial and labors. It is difficult
to conceive of a more congenial atmosphere in
which to perform early missionary labor, than that
which continually surrounded the pioneer Methodist
"circuit rider." The case of the appointee of the
Home Mission Society of the Baptist Church was
quite" different. He was, in a measure and to a
greater degree, isolated. His work could not be
adequately represented to "those in authority" who
seldom or never visited the field in person, and
290 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
often it was uncharitably compared with work done
far away and under totally different circumstances.
The spirit of the Church then and now is more
properly spoken of as a foreign missionary spirit.
The home missionary servant was often well-nigh
forgotten, and his toils were comparatively unap-
preciated, while the appointee of the Missionary
Union was kept in the warmest remembrance and
his work most highly prized. The sympathy felt
for him was active, practical and cordial. So that
we believe the statement correct, that of all men
who helped and are helping to subdue this Great
West to the sway of Messiah, the comparatively
isolated appointees of the A. B. H. M. Society
are worthiest of the name of heroes. — Ed.]
I think, if I had my life to live over, I would do
mor^ for the home missions than ever I have done.
I would labor more to bring the wealthy men and
churches of the denomination into deeper sympathy
with the men and families on the frontier who are
enduring well-nigh all things, in some cases, for the
Master's sake. But, thank God, these inconven-
iences and privations did not deprive us of His
power at Humboldt. Amidst the clangor of war
and the constant fear of the cruel "bushwhacker,"
which was only another name for murderer and
plunderer, and whose foul deeds were being
perpetrated nearly every day all about us, the Spirit
was given and souls were converted to Jesus and
A KANSAS "field." 291
became obedient to the faith. The place had been
sacked twice and burned once by rebel Missourians.
It was now a military post, with altogether too
small a protection to the remaining citizens, what
few there were of soldiers being much given to
drinking. With two saloons in fall blast every
day, Sunday not excepted, and the click of the
billiard-balls to be heard at all hours of the day
and night, I made an attempt to preach a free and
full Gospel to the few who came and listened. The
larger part of the congregation was made up of
troops from the post. Among them, I foimd a
young man who was a Christian and took part in
the devotions. He made no special claim of talents,
but I soon saw that he had them; and I learned
from the officers that he had been ordained, and
preached yet occasionally.
Coming to Kansas with his father's family,
consisting of two or three brothers, he told them
on the breaking out of the war that they ought to
have a representative in the army of the country,
and if no one of the others would be that repre-
sentative, he should be himself. He enlisted in
the cavalry service. I at once encouraged him to
engage again in the ministry, but he declined, as
he said he did not intend to preach until he had
292 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
secured an education. I made an effort to get him
a discharge from the army for that purpose ; but
soou peace was declared, and he arranged his affairs
and spent some time at our State University at
Lawrence, and then completed his course in the
Theological Seminary at Chicago, with great credit
to himself and instructors. He is now one of the
honored and beloved ministers of the State. No
church need be ashamed of the Rev. R. P. Evans,
pastor at Olathe.
God poured out His Spirit at Humboldt in the
midst of all the depressing and distracting influences
at work. The place was very wicked. No sooner
were backsliders reclaimed and sinners alarmed,
than it seemed as if all the emissaries of the pit of
perdition were sent there on a special embassy
of ruin. But truth triumphed, and our Jesus
conquered as He rode on "mighty to save." No
opposition could stop the work. Profane swearing,
drunkenness, lewdness, lying, thieving — all had to
give way to the Spirit's work and the power of
God in answer to prayer. The place we held our
meetings in was crowded every evening, and in the
day-time Christians of all denominations would
come together for supplication and exhortation.
God was with us in mighty power.
293
Soon, there was a disposition on the part of a
number of the converts to follow the Master in the
ordinance of baptism. The officers at the post gave
us the use of a tent which was spread at the water's
edge for the accommodation of the female candi-
dates. On the Lord's day, I baptized fourteen — all
adults. Thus the work went on to the praise of
Christ.
The man who kept the main saloon and billiard-
tables of the place, was the son of a "hard-shell"
Baptist of southern Illinois ; and among the officers
who frequented his place, was Capt. Kendall, who
had been well brought up, a man of fine abilities
and education, but who had given himself over to
drinking and gambling. A young man, not a
Christian, had conceived the idea of making a
donation to the "poor missionary;" and in carrying
out his idea, he called at the different places of
resort, as well as business. This saloon was visited,
among the other places. There he found Captain
Kendall, playing billiards. The young man stepped
up to the bar, and handed his paper to Mr. Saloon-
keeper. He at once rejected it, with an oath !
"No, not a cent. My father is a Baptist
minister, and has preached these forty years and
never received a dollar for it, and is a man well off,
294 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT
with a good farm; and I don't believe in these
missionary Baptists, nor their protracted meetings.
I won't give *nary red.' Let them go to work, like
honest folks." Captain Kendall, hearing this reply
of Mr. Saloon-keeper, said: "Well, 3^our father
must have been a old fool, and his son is a
chip off of the old block. Here, John, put me
down for fifty dollars ; and call at my tent
to-morrow, and I will pay it."
A donation day was appointed. The largest place
in town was jammed, all the officers and boys in blue
vieing with each other to see who should do the
most. I received over two hundred doUars. It
was a timely gift, as all things were at war prices.
Spring had come, and we were obliged to get out
of our little "seven-by-nine" room where we had
wintered and suffered. As there was no vacant
house in Humboldt, a kind-hearted brother at lola
offered us a part of his house as a gratuity, and as
this was in our field, we of course took with delight
his offer and moved. We have all felt ourselves
under great obligations to Brother and Sister
Weller, of lola, for theu' Christian sympathy and
generosity.
CLOSING THE IVAR IN MISSOUEI. 295
CHAPTEK XXm.
CLOSING THE WAR IN MISSOURI.
(l)\URING this spring the war came nominally to
J-^a close, and yet all along the borders of Kansas
and Missouri the skulking "bushwhackers" were
committing fearful depredations. ]\Ien ran great
hazards in ventm*ing out to any distance from the
settlements. An old gentleman, with his wife-
friends and neighbors of ours from New York — had
come into the country to visit his children, and was
taken sick and died. The widow requested me to
accompany her with the corpse back to her old home
in New York. I consented, and we had got as far
as St. Louis and there I met our brother Jesse Stone,
of Topeka, on his way to Boston. He was going
through Rochester, and would take my place, giving
me the privilege of attending our Anniversaries at
St. Louis, which were then in progress. At the
close of the meeting, the Missouri Pacific road had
tendered free passes to all members of the conven-
296 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
tion to the end of the line, then at TVarrensburgh,
Missouri. A large number of the Eastern brethren
accepted the proffer, among them Eev. William
Michels, D.D., of New York City, U. D. Ward,
Esq., of New York City, Eev. S. Graves, D.D., of
Norwich, Connecticut. Some of the number were
going through to Kansas. As soon as we were well
under way, stories were put in circulation about the
sad havoc the guerrillas were making in Missouri, so
that at Warrensburgh they all concluded to return
by the next train. But as my home was in Kansas,
I must go on. We arrived in Warrensburgh about
nine in the evenino;. The stao^e left at ten. An old
man and myself were all the passengers to take the
stage for Independence, Mo., about one hundred
miles. The driver had a bottle of whisky, and was
quite "tight" to begin with. The night was exceed-
ingly dark. The road ran most of the way through
the prairie.
As the stage moved out of town, the driver halted
and took on a boon companion, of like disposition
and condition with himself, being under the delusive
influence of bad whisky. They sang bad songs, and
used bad language without stint. After traveling
five or six miles, we met the incoming stage with a
CLOSING THE WAE IN MISSOURI. 297
full load of passengers. It stopped long enough to
convey the news of the massacre atHolden of several
of its citizens. We were to change horses at Hold en.
I saw this sad tale excited my aged companion in
travel, now almost travail, and he suggested for us
to returu to Warrensburgh, and get a conveyance to
take us through by daylight. But I said ; "No, that
will not benefit us by way of protection from guer-
rillas." So on we went in the dark.
Between midnight and one o'clock, the coach
stopped, and I heard the driver say: "We are out
of the road ; here, you hold the lines, while I get off
and look for it." After a long reconnoissance he
came back, and reported he could not find it. The
old gentleman and myself had got out of the coach,
and observed that the man he had left to hold the
team, was sound asleep on the box. I asked of the
driver : "Where did you leave the road-track?" He
replied, with an oath, that he didn't know. I asked
him to let me have the coach lamp and I would go
and see if I could discover it. As I took the lamp,
the old gentleman opened the stage door and took
his satchel out. So we started off together. And a
fruitless search it was. We came back to find both
men in a drunken sleep in the stage, occupying the
298 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
seats, one of them having taken my satchel and
shawl for pillow and covering. I went to the boot
of the coach, and got the bottle of whisky and
emptied it on the ground, and then threw the bottle
as far as I could out on the prairie. I set the lamp
in its socket, and waited for day. Nothing could be
seen but the dim horizon in the distance. Not a star
shone through the thick clouds that made the night
so densely dark.
I saw all this time that my aged friend was much
excited, though he said but little. As daylight
broke the spell of darkness, I could discover in the
distance, men walking back and forth with glistening
muskets. It was not light enough for me to see the
dress of the men. The question that arose to me,
and well nigh choked me was : "Is the color grey or
blue?" I soon saw that four of them were approach-
ing us, and I called up the boys and told them to
hitch up, as we wanted to be moving. As the men
neared us, I saw that they were soldiers in blue !
How blessed was that blue ! I felt better, as well as
I can remember. The fact was, this drunken driver
had been out on a waste prairie four or five miles,
and these were the United States troops on the look-
out for the raiders on Holden. They saw us by our
CLOSING THE WAR IN MISSOURI. 299
stage light, and had kept us in view for hours,
expecting that the bushwhackers would make their
appearance, and pounce upon us as their prey. The
sergeant of the guard directed us to the main road,
and at eight o'clock we arrived at Holden. We were
due there at four o'clock, a. m. The town was panic
struck. Six of her citizens had been murdered in
open daylight, and in cold blood, by a band of law-
less devils in human shape, who, although the war
was closed, were pushing their fiendish work of
death for plunder's sake.
I informed the stage agent of the conduct of his
driver, and went before a notary public and made
affidavit to the facts as above related. The hotel
was demoralized and broken up by the murders and
subsequent panic, so that no breakfast could be
obtained there. A stranger informed us that just
out of town, on the stage road, was a boarding
house where we could get something to eat. So my
old companion and myself asked the stage agent if
he would have it stop for us at the place. "Well,"
said he, "I am not certain that the stage will go
to-day, as the military will not furnish any guard.
You do not want to go without protection, do you?"
There were some railroad contractors that had been
300 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
waiting for tlie stage ever since it was due in the
very early morning, and were very anxious to get
to their men on the job, six or eight miles ahead.
Tliey said they ^^must goJ*^ Railroads are generally
built by men who talk in that way. They could
defend themselves "a little." One of them, turning
to me, said, "Stranger, have you any revolver?"
and to my companion: "Old man, have?" I told
them I had none. "Well, here is one I will
lend you as long as we are together." I thanked
him and took it. The old gentleman said, "I should
not know how to use one if I had it ; I never shot a
gun in my life." "Well, said I, "call for us at the
small house on the hill, and we will walk along."
The lady gave us corn cake and bacon, and bitter
coffee, made worse with sorghum. I saw the old
gentleman kept his satchel in his hand all the time,
and after our meal he said, "I will walk along and
get in when you come up."
An overgrown specimen of a "puke," who seemed
to be general hanger-on about the house, said, "If
you have got anything valuable with you, you had
better leave it with me, for I doubt if you ever get
to Pleasant Hill alive, if you don't have any escort
there. Them bushwhackers are in the bush
CLOSING THE WAR IN MISSOURI. 301
between here and that place." I saw this excited
the old man afresh. As we walked along, and as
soon as we were out of hearing of this individual,
who had all the latent symptoms of a bushwhacker
himself, my companion said, "I suppose you are a
good, honest man, and I will tell you my condition.
It is this. I am going to Kansas to see my sons at
Emporia, or near there, and I am carrying them
money to buy land with. I have got twenty
thousand dollars in this satchel. I live in Pennsyl-
vania, in Crawford County. I am a member of the
Presbyterian church, and I hope, a Christian. I had
no thoughts of any such trouble as this. If I had,
I never would have started. I have never been
away from home much. I thought I would hide
the money somewhere in the woods, and then if I
could, go to see my children." The tears came in
the old man's eyes as he spoke. I said, "Now,
this is your best policy. Keep quiet. Act careless
about your money. Treat your valise as though
there was nothing in it. Throw it down anywhere.
Keep your eye on it, but appear unconcerned about
it. Don't get excited when men talk. That man
saw you were anxious about something, where we
took breakfast."
302 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
Up came the stage with the raiboad contractors
and one lady aboard. The old man threw in his
rubber cloth satchel, and on we went. One of the
passengers informed us that our greatest danger was
about five miles on. Then we would be out of
harm's way until at the Osage River, a few miles
this side of Independence ; but the probabilities
were that we should have an escort of cavalry from
Pleasant Hill to Independence. We arrived at the
former place about two p. m., and found that the
troops stationed there had just returned from a long
and weary scout for bushwhackers. They were
wearied out, horses and all. The captain of the
guard said he could not send a protection until the
next day; but finally said, "If the men will vol-
unteer, I will consent." And the old man said, "I
will pay them, something." So the bugle sounded a
"call," and up came the men. He made known to
the soldiers the facts, and added that some of the
gentlemen had promised them a present if they
would go to the crossing of the Osage River. The
old gentleman said, "Yes, I will give each man a
dollar that will go," and twelve volunteered. We
were safely escorted to the river, and before dark,
we were in the city of Independence. The railroad
CLOSING THE WAK IN MISSOURI. 303
was completed from there to Kansas City. On this
of course we gratefully, and with much relief, rode
into the "village at the mouth of the Kav/." Here
my old Pennite concluded to stay until the next
Monday morning. He proposed to give me twenty
dollars for aiding him. I thanked him No, I didn't
wish to be compensated for doing right and using
my wits. I went on to Lawrence to spend the
Lord's day.
Soon after returning home, the Kansas State
Convention of Baptists was to hold its third annual
meeting in Paola, June, 1865. Paola had been a
military post during the war, and long barracks had
been constructed for the quartering of the troops.
The commanding officer of the post had given the
use of these buildings to the Convention, and had
arranged them as well as he could for the holding of
the meetings. There was a good representation
of officers and men in the meetings. The delegates
of ministers and others from the State were fully as
numerous as could be expected. Rev. J. B. Taylor,
appointed to preach the opening sermon, was con-
sidered, doctrinally speaking, of the "hard-sheir*
stamp. If there were ever any doubts entertained
before of the propriety of the epithet as applied ^o
304 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
him, they were all effectually scattered by this
sermon. It was antinomian "hard-shellism" hard-
ened. The Association received it kindly, chari-
tably, and in a way that spoke volumes for then-
common sense, by letting it pass without note or
comment. That brother's effort was destined ol
com'se from all eternity to fall upon ears that were
dull of hearing, and so to drop into well-earned
oblivion. Inconsistency is woven into the very
texture of the lives of men, individually as well as
into that more complex life of associated men —
mankind. That in this day of steam and electricity
and personal achievement, any one could hold to
such ideas as those mildly called "hard-shell,"
belonging only to the "sleepy hollow" age of the
world, if to any, is one of those phenomena that
prove beyond controversy that the "fall" made men
liable to become fools as well as knaves.
All was moving on with the best of feeling, until
the last day of Convention, when the committee
on the state of the country reported a series of
resolutions, among which was one on the death
of President Lincoln, expressed in terms of lamen-
tation, and adulation of him as a Christian President,
etc. The room was crowded with United States
CLOSING THE WAE IN MISSOUKI. 305
officers and soldiers, as well as of "citizens." No
sooner had the resolutions been read, than the
"hyper" brother arose and moved that "so much
of the resolutions as referred to Mr. Lincoln as a
Christian President be stricken out ;" and then went
on to make a most violent speech, denouncing the
President for being in a theatre when he was
assassinated. He ought to have taken it into
account that he was "foreordained" to have gone
there ! You might as well undertake to put out
powder when it is once ignited, as to have kept that
audience, so largely made up of the "boys in
blue," still. I being in the chair, called, "Order!
Order!" But more than a dozen men were
making efforts to get their hands on him. One
had his bowie-knife drawn, to kill him on the spot.
But two brethren. Major H. A. Dean and Sergeant
R. P. Evans,* interfered, and saved the man from
sudden death at the hands of United States soldiers.
He was spirited away and secreted until night,
when he left for his home in Lyon County. The
resolutions were passed without opposition, except
as above noted.
*Now, Rev, E. f. IJvanS; of Qlathe,
306 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
I have related this unhappy afiair, simply because
great injustice has been done the brethren who
were prominent in the Convention, by charging
them with beinoj the instio:ators of intended violence
to the person of Rev. J. B. Taylor. To me, it
was said, in the city of New York, that "I, as the
presiding officer of the body, and others connected
with me, put the officers and men up to it." All
present at the time know that I tried to keep the
meeting in order. I but speak for the brethren
of the convention, when I say that the charge is
false.
We then had a noble band of brethren in this
new State. We were far from each other. Our
ministerial meetings were few and far between.
The churches were small and poor. There were
but one or two finished Baptist meeting-houses in
the State — one at Atchison and one at Manhattan,
I believe. There was a frame up at Neosho Rapids.
Leavenworth, Lawrence, Topeka, Junction City,
Paola, Fort Scott, Ottawa, Emporia — not a Baptist
church edifice in any of them, and all growing;
towns of importance in anticipation, with all the
elements to make them fulfill the expectation.
I am astoiiished at the advance made by us, in
CLOSING THE WAR IN MISSOURI. 307
every respect. Our Sunday school system was in a
disorganized condition. The schools were feeble,
poorly organized and irregular in attendance. We
had a few young ministers of education and ability.
Now, we have them by scores ; and the above-named
towns are supplied with able men, and with church
buildings that are ornaments to their respective
cities. The summer and autumn of 1865 marks a
new era in the history of the churches in Kansas.
The war having come to a close, Christian men
began to think of doing something for the Master.
Quite a number of the men who had gone into the
war and a few of the ministers returned to their
homes, to preach Christ and serve the churches.
While they thanked Him for victories in the field,
they thanked Him still more for the victories of the
Cross over sin and depravity. Immigration came
in like a flood, and towns that had been in a stand-
still condition during the nation's conflict, sprang
into new life. God was in Kansas, notwithstandins:
some "jayhawking" citizens.
308 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER XXIV.
IN October, 1865, the trustees of the Ottawa
"University" — ^Rochester and Harvard forgive
the mark ! — invited me to move to that new "city,"
and take an agency of the institution, on a salary
of one thousand dollars per year, and traveling
expenses paid. I consented to do so, and at an
early day moved my family to the place, and
commenced my work as I was directed by the
chairman and secretary of the board. The Baptist
church at Leavenworth had begun to build an
edifice, and the pastor. Reverend Winfield Scott,
invited me to be present at the laying of the comer-
stone ; and, by the consent of the board, I went.
Soon after, Mr. Scott wrote the board, asking them
to permit me to enter their service as agent to
collect funds for the carrying on of their great
project. Consent was given ; and I went East for
that object, and spent the spring and sumnier of
-LEAVENWORTH. 309
1866 in the New England States and New York.
I first stopped in Quincy, Illinois, collecting about
two hundred dollars. Next, in Chicago, I raised
the same amount. In Coldwater, Michigan, I raised
one hundred and thirty-four dollars. I then went
to New York, Boston, Hartford, Providence and
the lesser towns and cities, and returned to Ottawa,
having been absent from my family from the ninth
of February to the eighth of October. During
this time I was sick in New York City six weeks,
but able a part of the time to supply some of the
vacant pulpits, the pastors being away on their
summer vacations, the compensation for such
services to be applied to the church in Leavenworth
towards their building fund. I went to New
London, Connecticut, and spent ten days with an
old fellow-laborer, Rev. Jabez Swan, whom I had
not seen in thirty years, and with" him went to
the Stonington Union Association, and heard him
preach to the hosts of New England Baptists. It
was "a feast of fat things" to hear him expound the
Word of God and describe the revivals he had
witnessed in that old Association, and what he had
accomplished in his early pastoral work in New
York and other States. I saw that a few of the
310 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
younger brethren in the ministry thought he was a
little too rough in his manner of address. But the
large majority of these representatives of the New
England churches had the greatest faith in his
integrity and piety. Thousands upon thousands
all over the land were his epistles known and read
of all men. Many of them were present iu this
meeting. In his fii'st pastorate in New London he
had, by his plain, truthful dealing with error, so
exasperated the Universalists that the}^, in their hot
zeal, had gone on and built an expensive church,
going far beyond their means, hoping blindly to be
able to meet their coming liabilities. When this
new and elegant house was dedicated, many of
Swan's brethren said, if he had been a little more
mild, that society would never have built such an
edifice ; it grew up into form and beauty out of
his imprudent and rash course towards them.
Brother Swan hearing this a number of times,
replied : "Brethren, the day will come when you
or your children will see that meeting-house dedi-
cated and owned by the Baptists in the city of New
London. Now, mark my words." Brother Swan
was soon called as pastor of the State-street church,
iu Albany, New York. During the two or three
-LEAVENWORTH. 311
years of his settlement in Albany, the debts on the
fine Universalist house in New London began to
press upon them. Sixteen thousand dollars must
be raised, or the house would be sold under the
sheriff's hammer. No relief came. Three or four
of the wealthier Baptists went to Albany, and said
to Brother Swan : "If you will come back to New
London, we will buy the new Universalist meeting-
house, and have you installed as pastor in it. He
consented ; and in a few weeks a sheriff's deed was
made out to the Baptist church and society, and
Jabez Swan installed as its pastor. There he
remained, enjoying the fulfillment of his prophecy,
until age had disqualified him for active labor as a
pastor in the place.
Rev. Jabez Swan was an outspoken man in a 1 his
private and public ministrations. As a man in
social life, he was as mild and quiet as a child, and
as tender in dealing with inquirers after truth as the
beloved John. In the pulpit, he was like Paul —
logical and truthful. In prayer, he was a power
with God. He could prevail. While pastor in
Albany, he was called upon, as the custom was in
that State at the time for the resident ministers in
Albany, to act in turn as chaplain of the House of
312 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
Representatives and Senate. The Speaker of the
House at the time, Hon. E. Litchfield, was a
Baptist. When Swan's morning came to oflSciate,
Litchfield called the House to order and said : "The
Reverend Jabez Swan will address the^ Throne of
Grace." Swan commenced in the usual way
of formality, but soon introduced the practical
matter of supplication, making time and place and
subjects as pointed and personal as possible —
something like the following: "Gh, thou Almighty
Savior of sinners, here in this congregation are such
as need salvation, and of every imaginable class.
Here, G Lord, are men steeped in iniquity, in
bribery, in drunkenness, lies, licentiousness and
debauchery ; ; old blasphemers, men who fear not
God nor regard the interests of man — men who are
reprobate to all that is holy and good. Now, Lord
God, make known Thy mercy in saving them from
the power of the second death, and sustain Thy
servant who is called to preside over them, that he
be not contaminated by this herd of thieves and
robbers. In Thy name we ask it. Amen and
amen." Honorable Mike Walsh, of New York City
notoriety, an eccentric fellow, arose in his place at
the conclusion of the prayer, and moved a question
"OTTAWA university'' — ^LEAVENWORTH. 313
of privilege. When the chair had announced his
name as having the floor, he continued : "I move
that a copy of this prayer be spread upon the
journal of the House, for it's the most appropriate
prayer I have ever heard in this place."
While thus acting as agent of the church at Leav-
enworth, I was permitted to witness the Spirit's
power in the salvation of sinners, in a number of
places where it would have been delightful to have
remained ancf assist the different pastors, had duty
permitted me to do so. But I had a special object
in pursuit. And I have always acted on this prin-
ciple : never to do two things at once. "This one
thing I do," said Paul. I did depart from this rule
for a short time at Cold water, Michigan, ^««here I
found the church in a divided state, and where it
seemed to be duty to remain a few days and assist
in the Christian work of reconciling brethren.
After a week's stay, not without its good results, I
trust, I went on, stopping at Detroit over one night.
In this city, the churches were at the time embar-
rassed with debt ; and so I hastened on to New
York State, where I was born and where my youth
had been spent in folly and sin : where the Spirit
first revealed to me the deep depravity of my nature ;
B14 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
where God, for Christ's sake, forgave my sins and
led me to the cross for hope of eternal life. As I
came to some of the places where I had lived as a
sinner, I could not suppress my tears of mingled
grief and joy — grief, when I remembered the
blindness and hardness of my heart when a youth ;
joy, when I considered my great deliverance from
the power of sin.
One sad reflection came upon me like an armed
force. It was this : Many of the old ministers,
and those who were my companions in the labor
of the Gospel, had gone to the Better Land to rest,
and were waiting for the resurrection of the just.
The time was when I knew nearly every Baptist
minister in the State from Lake Erie to the east
end of Long Island; from 1840 to 1857, I had
commingled much with those in the western and
southern portions of the State. Among them,
were men of choice spirit. But now, their places
were vacant or filled with the young men who
had been raised up in the churches and educated
in our schools, nearly all of them strangers to me.
It was, however, a cheering reflection that upon
many of these sons of the Gospel the mantles of
their ascended fathers had fallen, and the Elishas of
-LEAVENWORTH. 315
to-day were doing the very work of the Elijahs of
yesterday. It is a source of joy and pride to see
what the schools of the prophets have accomplished
for the Baptist churches and their ministers in the
last' quarter of a century. Forty years ago we had
in all Western New York, but few educated min-
isters, and now nearly every church in the State is
supplied with a pastor whom no church would be
ashamed to have stand before any audience as the
ambassador of Christ. I could but exclaim, "God
bless these dear young men with the power of the
Spirit ! " The most of them gave the best of evi-
dence that they were taught of God, as well as in
the Seminary.
I found only one exception, and perhaps what I
criticized in him was a mistake more than a fault. A
young brother was to preach the opening sermon at
an Association. His text was Isaiah Ixiv. 6 : "We do
all fade as a leaf." After an introduction by way
of urging upon the assembly the importance of a
chemical, agricultural and scientific understanding
of the processes of nature in the growth of vegeta-
tion, he announced his theme, "The Fading Leaf,"
and then set forth the doctrine of the text, (he said
it was the doctrine) First, "The process of fading
316 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
and falling;" Second, "The use the leaf is put to
by nature, after it fades and falls." The sermon
had one grand feature. It was just twenty-seven
minutes long. At the conclusion, all said Amen. I
was invited home to dinner with an old friend who
asked me, with a twinkle of the eye, as we walked
along, "What agricultural society did that young
man say he belonged to ? " There was not a good
round sentence in it, from beginning to end, for
Christ and the salvation of lost men. But this case
was an exception to the young men generally. He
had more learning than good Gospel sense.
I have given my views in a previous chapter on
the subject of an educated ministry, so that I will
not trespass again upon the time of the reader to
enlarge upon the subject at this point. Everywhere
I went I was hailed with a most hearty welcome by
old and young, friends and strangers. After the
meeting of the anniversaries in Boston, I came to
Connecticut and spent the time till their annual
State meeting in the city of Hartford — a meeting
long to be remembered. It was a grand sight to
see those New England Baptists who had contended
so earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints
against ecclesiastical domination and the authority
317
of a law of persecution, and to hear the reports
from the churches they represented, showing how
much material and spiritual prosperity attended
them in all their religious enterprises. Such devoted
men, laymen and ministers ! Such liberality as was
evinced for every good object ! Such fraternal
respect for each other, and for the opinions of
others ! There was no great "/" and little "yow,"
as I had witnessed in some places. The doctors of
Divinity did not put on airs, or betray any symptoms
of having that bane of human gi'eatness, "the big-
head." Every man's hat fitted his own head. One
evening of the session was given to a social and
simple supper in the large edifice of the First
Baptist church. At this supper a number of gentle-
men, not members of the denomination, were called
upon for speeches, among them Hon. Mr. Hawley,
Governor of the State, and son of a Baptist minister
in the State, who had toiled when Baptists every-
where in New England received ''cold-shoulder,'''
and Baptist ministers small salaries in addition. I
was called upon to represent Kansas and the needs
of the Baptist church at Leavenworth, and in
response to my plea for the latter, received nearly
seven hundred and fifty dollars. All the pulpits of
318 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
that State were open for the presentation of the
wants of the needy. Well, Connecticut is a grand
old State ! It's a good State to be in. It's easy
work to praise it.
At Danbury I found a noble band of Christian
men and women. Here I was invited by the pastor,
Eev. D. M. Stone, D. D., now of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, to present the claims of my object.
Also at Norwalk I received the same invitation from
Eev. C. N. Swan, son of Jabez Swan, of New
London. The church at Stamford is a grand spec-
imen of what a church ought to be. This church,
Eev. Edward Lathrop, D. D., pastor, good and
true, treated me with New Testament consideration
and liberality. I then came back to New York and
took the line of churches up the Harlem road to
Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties, and
attended the two Associations composed of the
churches in that wealthy region of hills and dales
which well nigh flows with milk, the farmers fur-
nishing this article in the greatest quantities for the
New York market. From these hills the water also
for that mighty city is furnished. The Croton Eiver
is here turned into two or three reservoirs, from
which it flows in underground acqueducts about
-LEAVENWORTH . 319
eighty miles to the city, costing millions of dollars.
I did not wonder that so many of the people in that
country were of Baptist proclivities, water being
so valuable an article, and so highly prized. I
heard no complaints that it was "dangerous to
health," as we hear out West.
While in Rhode Island I received a telegram
requesting me to go to Washington, D. C, to meet
a friend, and to attend to business relating to the
"University" at Ottawa. Having complied with
this, I returned to New York, where I resigned my
position in connection with that enterprise, and then
hastened to my home in Ottawa, Kansas. As their
pastor. Rev. I. Sawyer, D. D., had resigned, the
church invited me to supply their pulpit until they
could obtain another pastor. Mrs. Stimson was
acting as matron of the Indian Department of the
school. I accepted the position of supply until the
next autumn. I then went to Lawrence, and com-
menced a meeting in connection with the pastor of
the Baptist church in that place, Eev. E. D. Bentley.
This was about Christmas. I only expected to
remain a few days, and then return to Burlington to
spend the winter with my daughter and her family.
Perhaps it will be of sufficient interest to the
320 rR031 THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
reader to detail somewhat the precious work of
grace iu Lawrence during the winter of 1867-1868.
It was Wednesday evening, the time for the regular
prayer meeting of the church. Pains had been
taken by the pastor and others, to give notice that
there would be preaching in the lecture room. At
the hour appointed there were seventeen present,
all told. I talked to this handful from the Word of
the Lord in Nehemiah iv. 6, "For the people had a
mind to work," introducing two simple thoughts :
First, The magnitude of our work ; Second, What
is our individual work as Christians ? At the con-
clusion, I suggested this as a test of our willingness
to enter at once upon the work, that each one bring
a friend with him, or her, at the meeting the next
night, and that would make thirty-four. Thm'sday
night came, and there were over one hundred
present, and soon we had to go into what was the
main audience room at the time, and before January
was out, all the churches in the city were in a full
blaze of revival spirit, and multitudes of the impeni-
tent were heard to inquire, "What must we do to be
saved?" It was estimated that in all, four hundred
had submitted to Jesus, mi hoped in his saving
power.
-LEAVENWORTH. 321
I remained in Lawrence until June, and then went
to Atchison, to supply the desk until Dr. Sawyer,
pastor elect, should assume his position in the
church. I spent the remainder of the year in
preaching in destitute communities and in asssisting
pastors in protracted efforts, as opportunities offered.
During the time of holding these meetings, we
experienced great inconvenience for the want of
proper places in which to hold them, and the suffering
to the people was great from what are called "basket
meetings" held in the woods. These annoyances
or sufferings proper were two : First, The chills
and fever attacked the people, because of the
miasma that arises from all unsubdued lands in the
Western States, especially from low-wooded lands.
Second, The flies, of which we have large swarms
in this country, annoyed the horses and mules so
badly that it was almost impossible to keep the
animals in camp. Besides these, the heavy rains,
so common in the forepart of the season, might be
mentioned.
322 FROM. THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER XXV,
(A/T one of these out-door, afflicted gatherings at
-^^ LaNape, Brother Winfield Scott and myself
suggested the idea of a large tent, such as we had
both seen in the army, and the practical utility of
which we both knew. If we only had this, we
could go on to the open prairie, where it would be
healthier and pleasanter, and could also be protected
against the hot sun and the dews, the rains and the
flies. When the thing was named to the multitude,
it was hailed as the very thing needed, and a reso-
lution was passed that if possible one be obtained,
and that Brother H. K. Stimson be requested to
solicit subscriptions for the purpose — the tent to be
called the "Baptist Tabernacle for Kansas." Early
in this winter, I started out on this mission for a
temporary meeting-house that could be easily moved
from place to place, as circumstances should demand.
I found the Northern winters in the sections of
1
323
country I wanted to visit for the purpose so severe,
and my health so feeble, that but little could be
accomplished until the spring should open. Mean-
time, I had gone on East and made a few collections.
In April, I left New York for the West, At
Chicago, I had the tent constructed, seats and all;
and, by the advice of brethren, set it up in that
city, the friends there contributing towards the
expense. We held meetings in it for four or five
days and nights, with large audiences filling it to its
utmost capacity. It would hold, comfortably seated,
about sixteen hundred persons, and by crowding
it, twenty-five hundred could be got inside of it.
When we were ready to move it, the Chicago,
Burlington and Quincy Railroad Company, and the
Hannibal and St. Joe Company, volunteered to
convey it to Leavenworth, free. The Reverend
L. P. Judson, of Stillwater, New York, accom-
panied us and took charge of the tent as far as
Leavenworth ; and there, with the assistance of
that ever-ready and industrious Reverend Winfield
Scott, we pitched the Tabernacle for dedication.
Large crowds assembled from day to day and from
night to night. We next moved it to Ottawa,
where there was to be a Sunday school celebration,
324 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
and where we were persuaded to erect it for the
accommodation of the large meeting. From there,
we went to LeKoy, Coffey County. At this place,
the small church gave us the best accommodation in
their power, under the circumstances. At this
place, my health gave out, and I was obliged to
desist from further personal labor during the season.
The brethren at Burlingame, Osage County, had
proposed to send teams for the tent, in which to
hold the meetings of their Association. But failing
to come to time, we put the Tabernacle into winter
quarters at Burlington.
This tent enterprise aroused a good deal of oppo-
sition from the enemies of religion, and, I regret to
say, a few of the professed friends of the Master in
Kansas. Why they should oppose it, I could never
know. It was suggested that it grew out of the
fact that they did not get it up, and that there was
no money to be made out of it for their pockets.
[This somewhat famous tent might have been as
successful, practically, as it was bold and original
in conception, if it had not been for two mistakes —
one of which Father Stimson was not responsible
for, under any circumstances ; and the other was
a most natural mistake to make for a man ambitious
**THE Baptist tabernacle.'* S25
of doing the most good. Too much camiot be said
in praise of the idea of such a tent. It showed a
more thorough comprehension of the situation than
anything ever devised in a religious way, even in
prolific Kansas. The first mistake was in making
the tent too large. It was not too roomy for some
places where it would be advisable to erect it.
But it was designed for pioneer work, for towns
and communities where there were no church
buildings or public halls, and where one-half the
room would accommodate all the people that could
be induced to attend public worship, even in so
novel and inviting a place as a tent. The canvas,
seats and poles were a full load for four horses. It
was a great job to move it from place to place. K
it had been half as large, an ordinary wagon and
span of horses would have been all the equipage
necessary for its removal. The work of erecting it
would not have been half as much ; and in every
place it would have been entirely full — and others,
besides public speakers, know the inspiring effect
of a full audience. The second mistake was in
erecting it in places where it wasn't really needed.
In Chicago, where it was gotten up, it was well
enough to spread it for an opening meeting. But,
even there, it ought to have been with the square
promise on the part of responsible ones that every
cent of indebtedness on it should be paid off at the
time. It never should have been erected in
Leavenworth or Ottawa. These towns had certainly
passed beyond the tent period. If a tent that
would comfortably seat five or six hundred had
been kept in the infant towns of Kansas from the
time this monster canvas first made its appearance
326 FROM TSU STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
at Leavenworth, and had been manned by Brethren
Stimson and Scott, it is safe to say that the number
of conversions in the State during the time would
have been at least five thousand greater.
I would rather be the author of a grand failure,
than to live forever like some old parchment-skinned
conservative, whose main characteristic consists in
equivocating so as to avoid every square, vital issue,
and whose religion consists in not doing anything
that will have the least appearance of being out of
the ordinary beat. Such men, however much they
may cry "Lord, Lord," hardly belong to the race of
heroes smitten with the power of 9ie Spirit until
wherever they go the cry is : "These that have turned
the world upside down, have come hither also."
If they ever keep company with the apostles and
their spiritual successors, the Lord will surely have to
shake the easy-going, damnable conservatism out of
them. I would rather be Sir John Franklin, though
the unknown region of the Pole is never pierced by
the prow of any human navigator, than to be old
Sir Parchment Conservative, with my money bags
and blessings, the fruitage of other people's enter-
prise, and for whose daring and skill I had only
sneers. I would rather be the child of the man
who devised for God and humanity this tent, though
it was too large, and though it was set up at first
where it was not needed, than to be obliged to call
any of the full-favored persons, or those afflicted
with the dry rot of conservatism, who ridiculed the
enterprise, my father.
It was my good fortune to be present a short time
at Fort Scott, during Brother E. P. Hammond's
stay in that enterprising city, when the old tent
327
vindicated the wisdom of its originator. It was
during his great religious campaign in Kansas, in
the year 1872, when God so signally blessed Atchi-
son, Leavenworth, Topeka, Ottawa, Paola, Fort
Scott, and last, but chiefly, Lawrence, with His
saving grace, and the name of Hammond became a
household word with thousands who previously
cared for none of God's fellow-laborers. All these
places except Fort Scott, had church buildings, or
halls large enough to accommodate the multitudes
that crowded the meetings of this Avonderful man of
God. Here there was no place that would hold the
half of them, until the active ones thought of the
tent, and brother Hammond with his quick insight
for expedients urged the brethren there to secure it.
I went as a special messenger in behalf of the church
at Ottawa. I arrived at Fort Scott after ten o'clock
at night. I hurried up town ; delegates from other
places and for the same purpose being aboard the
same train. I found the tent jammed with human
beings, and the backless seats in the open, chill air
outside, all full. It was estimated that from five
hundred to a thousand were outside the tent each
night. People had come from long distances in
covered wao^oiis to attend the meetino^s. If it had
not been for the big tent, Fort Scott would not have
enjoyed the labors of the great evangelist, which
resulted in such "showers of blessings." If the tent
had never served any useful purpose before, and
never shall again, its service in the great meetings
at Fort Scott has vindicated its making many fold.
—Ed.]
328 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
At LeEoy, after we had got the meeting in opera-
tion, one of the lawyers of the place, au old acquain-
tance of mine, met me in the street with the remark :
"Ha ! Elder, I understand you have gone into the
circus business, and are now performing in our
city." This was said with a leer in the expression
of his face, that expressed his hatred of religion. I
replied: "O, yes, Squire J., and I am out now to
look up a babboon to put into the concern, and you
are the very one for the place ; come right along, I
will do well by you." He turned on his heel and
left. As a general thing, our efforts with the tent
were treated with due respect by all classes.
KINDERHOOK — WHEATLAND. 329
CHAPTER XXVI.
KINDERHOOK ^WHEATLAND .
MY feeble and failing health demanded rest and
quiet. So I went East to Michigan, to stay
a while with a daughter in that State and recruit
for the spring campaign. But I was advised by
physicians and friends not to think of exposing
myself to the fatigue and hardship of such exhausting
work, especially at my time of life. At Eanderhook,
Michigan, where my daughter resided, was a Baptist
church without a pastor. In fact they had never
enjoyed the regular, consecutive labor of a pastor ;
preaching "onct" a month, or "twict" at best, being
the rule with them. The church numbered about
thirty or thirty-five. They had built a snug little
meeting-house, and had a good congi'egation. An
invitation was extended me to become their pastor,
which I accepted. I at once moved my family there,
and found them a good, common sense people, quite
consistent in their daily walk, and willing to do what
330 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
they could to sustain the cause of Christ, and hold
up the hands of the pastor and make his position
secure and comfortable. So the first year passed
off agreeably, and with evident tokens of good in
prospect.
Our Sunday school was a union school. No
sectarian sentiments were to be taught in it, as is
the common rule in such cases. Not even a book
was admitted that had a tendency in that direction.
In the year 1870-71, we had quite a religious
awakening, and a number of hopeful conversions to
Jesus. On one Lord's day, a regular teacher in
the school was absent, and her place was supplied
by the wife of the Methodist clergyman of the place.
In the lesson the subject of baptism occurred. A
young lady in the class asked a question on the
subject. The teacher at once protested that baptism
was not by immersion, and that Jesus was not
baptized as an example, but as an introduction into
the priest's office. When I returned home, I found
quite a fermentation working on the subject, and
thought, as it was a union school, these things ought
not so to be. The next Sabbath, the said Methodist
lady came with her husband to frown me down, and
to choke off all utterances by way of protest on my
I
KINDERHOOK — WHEATLAND. 33]
part. Wisliing to counteract the mutually inter-
dicted influence then and there, in my own house of
worship, as it was manifesting itself in the pew
away in one corner, I said, "If you wish, Mr. H ,
to discuss these questions at a proper time and in a
proper spirit, I hold myself ready to engage in the
discussion. But just here and now, I am not ready
to enter upon it, and for the present, I protest."
But the spirit of war was difi'using itself like
leaven in the meal. In June, Brother A. P. Graves
came and labored four or five days with the church,
and the revival spirit of the previous winter was
renewed and increased to a large extent. The
meeting closing on Friday, the next day was our
covenant meeting. I gave notice of the same, and
Mr. gave notice that he should be there and
preach at five p. m. , and if any wished to join his
class, an opportunity would be afi'orded. Saturday
came, and to m}'- surprise nearly every convert was
there. And as they presented themselves, one after
another, for baptism, a number of the Methodist
brethren and sisters made the request to be
admitted, and among the number was the man who
had been a class leader, and a strong supporter of
that church for years. He arose and said : "You
all know me and my course of life. I want to be
332 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PIILPIT.
immersed, aud become a member of this Baptist
church." Ten or twelve united and were baptized
the next day in Silver Lake. It was a grand day for
converts and the church, and the old pastor never
felt better in his life.
The Methodist minister lived opposite my house,
and as he returned home to attend his five-o'clock
appointment, his good wife sat in the doorway,
waiting for him, and I sat in my door. As he drove
up to the gate, his wife rose, and walking with
rapid strides, threw up her hands and exclaimed in
upper tones, "John, they have all gone, George
and all, into the Baptist church I" ]\lr. H
hung his head, and sat silent for awhile. He then
went and put out his horse. This broke up the
sweet union, so much talked of by certain ones —
union as long as theycan have their say and way.
Just in the midst of this revival, the old Wheat-
land church extended me a call to visit them, and
re-settle with them as pastor. I went down to New
York and spent two weeks with them, and gave
them encouragement of accepting their invitation.
They expressed a great desire that I should, and
offered me many inducements, pecuniary and other.
But when I returned to Kinderhook, and found
what the Spirit was doing, and the state the church
(
KINDERHOOK WHEATLAND. 333
was in, and how much the young converts needed
the fostering care and counsel of a pastor, I wrote
to the friends in Wheatland that it would be impos-
sible for me to leave at the particular juncture.
For some unaccountable reason my letter and other
letters did not reach them, nor their communications
reach me. So the negotiations between us ended.
Perhaps it was all for the best. In a human view,
it did look as though something might have been
accomplished for that old wealthy church and
people. I can imagine that an effort at that time
would have resuscitated the cause in that once very
flourishing field of religious power.
On the other hand there would have been many
things against such a success. The two young
churches on either side of them were anxious to
secure the wealthy and active members still remain-
ing in the mother church. Mumford and Clifton
were like the "daughters of the horse leech." And
then again, I was much older, and somewhat
impaired in health. As I said to an old friend,
H. K. Stimson of 1850 was not the same man in
1871. A large majority of the members remaining
knew me only when they were children, and the
elderly ones would say, "Well, we heard that
clattering voice a long time ago, but now it has lost
334 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
its ring and vim." It may all have been for the
best as it was. I meant to do right. The other
too churches had good, reliable pastors, and are
working in harmony serving God. I wish we had
more such here in Kansas, and more such meeting
houses with their bells in many of our new and
rising towns.
The old cemetery in Wheatland is a sacred city
of the dead to me. There are the remains of a
multitude of dear old friends, in whose names and
memories there is a sweet fragrance. They were,
many of them, my counselors and supporters, in
the days of my residence among them. These
hands helped to smooth the dying pillows of some
of them, and over the cold bodies of many I said,
"Dust to dust." And, a dearer tie than these — a
large number of them T buried with Christ in the
baptismal tomb. One little cherub lies in the
sacred enclosure of that cemetery whom we depos-
ited there during the first year of our residence in
Wheatland. Oh, what a glorious day that will be
when the graves shall give up their dead, and we
shall greet each other in the Celestial City ! God
hasten it in His time ; and let us be prepared to
meet Him and each other with joy, and not with
grief.
BURLINGTON, KANSAS. 335
CHAPTEK XXVn.
BURLINGTON, KANSAS.
IT was a strange Providence that brought us back
to Kansas again. But I can now see that it was
a Providence fraught with the weightiest consid-
erations, as all His dealings are. Our children who
remained here were constantly writing, urging us to
return to Burlington ; and the remnant of the
Baptist church here held out inducements to me,
pleading that something might be done to resuscitate
the fallen cause of the church in the place. Their
late pastor had deserted them and joined another
denomination, and left the church in a distracted
state. He had gone off largely m debt, to his own
disgrace and their shame ; and if something was not
soon done, all would go to ruin. Through his
mismanagement, a small dwelling-house had been
purchased with a tax-title against it and a mortgage
of two hundred dollars. They had already paid
more than the property was worth or would bring
336 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
in market. On arrival, I found things even worse
than represented, and the church few in numbers
and poor. I did not expect to settle as pastor with
any church, but to rest with our children and do
such missionary work as might present itself, espe-
cially among the poor and destitute communities in
this county. But soon the church extended me a
call to become pastor ; and although they could not
promise a competent support, they would do all
that in their poverty they could to sustain a pastor.
Under these circumstances, I accepted the position
and set myself at work. We had no place in which
to hold our meetings, only an old dilapidated school-
room in an upper loft — dirty, dingy, inconvenient,
uninviting. The Sunday school was about the only
redeeming feature of the concern, and that greatly
retarded for the want of an attractive place in
which to collect the children. Many of the parents
did not wish their children to go up into the old
stone building. The school had been kept together
by Brother I. Mickel, who was doubtless the best
superintendent in the city. In the course of the
winter, the Episcopal chapel was vacant, and the
wardens of the church invited us to occupy the
house until they should be supplied with a rector.
BURLINGTON, KANSAS. 337
We accepted their kind offer, and at once entered
the chapel with our Sunday school and congre-
gation. Both were soon largely increased, and
things moved on for awhile with a degree of pros-
perity. But soon some of the feminine members
of that church began to put on "high church" airs,
and thought it an outrage on the sacred place for an
"unconsecrated and unordained" man to preach
there, polluting their "sacred and holy sanctuary."
And then, "if this old Baptist Elder and his little
church can get up a Sunday school of seventy-five
or eighty children and a decent congregation, why
can't we?" who are the regular succession. The
good brother, the rector who had preached to the
church and was expected to return in the spring,
was a true, evangelical, Christian gentleman, and
had suggested the matter of our occupying their
house in his absence. Soon, however, we were
notified to vacate the premises, and were again
turned out upon the "cold charities" of the world.
Some of the most lovely and devout Christians I
have ever seen, were members of the Episcopal
communion. They were "low church," though,
you may be sure. Such cared much more for
Christ than for "church," and for his true members
338 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
than for mummeries. As for "high church" people,
Simon-pure, I have the same feelings and respect
for them I have for the high-priests and Pharisees
mentioned in the account of the murder of Christ.
They belong to the same category. They have
great regard for the "outside of the cup and platter."
They have much more respect for the vestments
than the character of the men (or men and boys)
who "minister" before them. They never could
have endured John the Baptist. His "vestments"
would have been shockingly wanting in length and
in all regard for the sacred proprieties. They would
prefer to do without the Messiah, rather than
receive Him at the hands of such a "Forerunner."
A Gospel that could be preached in the wilderness,
or on a lake in a fisherman's dirty boat, and that
was glad news to tax-gatherers and harlots, is alto-
gether too rough a thing for them in their soft silks.
How such "high church" grandees are ever to
endure a heaven of equality, to keep company with
redeemed Magdalenes and poor people with bad
antecedents, and to worship Him who "exchanged
visits" when here on earth with families that did
their own work, is a matter of strange interest to
me. Women seerp to have a "fatal facility" for
BURLINGTON, KANSAS. 339
soaring (or sinking) into this hyperion of double-
rectified religion. It must have been invented to
suit their superlative notions. There is something
so select about it. It doesn't bring them into
contact with females who presume to worship God
with last year's bonnets on their plebeian heads, and
who manipulate the "prayer-book" with ungloved
hands. It's the nobbiest thing out, this genteel,
gilt-edged, high-toned. Fifth-avenue, carriage-and-
four, F. F. Y., superlatively refined improvement
on the religion of the homeless, wandering Son of
the Nazarene carpenter.
Notwithstanding we had no place in which to
meet except an old dingy Court-room, our Sunday
school kept up its interest. We were very kindly
offered the use of such meeting-houses as were not
used by the respective churches worshiping in
them — a kindness appreciated by us all. At this
time, the mortgage on the property of the church
became due, and the parties holding it were pressing
its payment. An effort was made to cancel the
claim ; but the old patrons of the enterprise were
unwilling to contribute any more, and there the
matter was likely to hang. Just before this^, a
brother and sister had come among us from the
340 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
Second church of Kochester, New York. They
proposed to assist in the payment of the mortgage,
on condition that an effort be made to build a house
of worship ; in which case, they would also purchase
a lot on which to build it. After much pleading
and a little ill-feeling on the part of some, the
mortgage was paid, by Mrs. Stimson giving fifty
dollars of money especially belonging to her. This
offering did not come out of our two hundred-dollar
salary, not yet all paid. We shan't cry if it's never
paid. This Brother Wigston, from Rochester, New
York, procured a suitable lot ; and it was decided
by the trustees and church that I should go and
solicit assistance in erecting a suitable house of
worship. Accordingly, on the ninth of April I
started out on my mission ; and after spending a few
weeks in Michigan, where I received a cordial
greeting and material contributions to my object
from both pastor and people, I hastened on to
Western New York. Many of these Michigan
people will be held in refreshing memory, and will
have the lasting gratitude of the little church in
Burlington, for their liberal, practical sympathy,
manifested to them in then* poverty. I have often
said when alone, "God bless the pastors and churches
in Michigan."
OLD MEMORIES. 341
CHAPTER XXVin.
OLD MEMORIES.
IAREIVED in New York just in time to wit-
ness the proceedings of the Niagara Baptist
Association at Akron. It was in this Associa-
tion that I was ordained, and in which many of my
youthful ministrations were bestowed. Here I met
a few of the veterans of the Master's cause, but not
one of the old ministers. All were at rest. Hon.
Burt Van Home was a child when we labored in this
Association. I remembered well the house and
home of his devoted father and mother, who were
pillars in Zion ; and the day he was baptized in one
of those precious revivals in Newfane. He was
moderator of the Association, a position he has held
for a number of years consecutively. And a capital
presiding officer he makes. I spent the next Lord's
day in Lockport, and the next week in attending the
Orleans Association at Shelby. Here I met a large
number of old friends, but not a minister that I knew
342 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
when I was young. I was led to ask : ''The fathers,
where are they? and the prophets, do they live
forever?" Here, I met the widow and family of
one of the Wheatland members I baptized in 1847,
and was made the guest of the family during my
stay there. I was offered a collection, and was
invited to visit their churches in the Association.
I then went on to Rochester, and spent a long
time with old friends and with the churches in and
about that goodly city. The land-marks in many
places had been moved, and in not a few respects
radical changes had taken place — some for the
better and some not for the better. Rochester is a
grand little city, in which I, in common with the
whole Baptist brotherhood, feel a degree of pride.
How different now from the first time I saw it in
1819 1 Fifty-four years had changed it from a
little village to a prosperous, literary, religious city
of eighty thousand inhabitants — the influence of
which is felt to the ends of the earth through the
educated sons of its institutions of learning. I
went there to live in 1824. Then its streets were
not paved, except with black mud. I remember
that in Buffalo street, between State and Sophia, I
got "stalled" with an empty coach in 1826, and had
OLD MEMORIES. 343
tx) send back to the hotel for help to get out.
There were some things I remembered as I revisited
the localities, that I wished I could forget. I will
not enumerate them ; "of which I am now ashamed."
They bring a blush to my temples as I think of
them. I will allude to only this one, of the lighter
sort. This is hardly a specimen of many that were
much more disgraceful. The village had then just
organized a police force, and had for a place in which
to confine violators of the public peace, the basement
of the then new court-house, long since given place
to the stately edifice that now graces the city. In
this room they had just put new cricket-bedsteads,
and nice rose blankets, so that the city criminals
could have rest of body, if not of conscience. These
sleeping accommodations had not been used. I
knew the man on duty that night ; only one at a time
was required. His name was "Constable Beach," as
we called him. It was court week, and every bed
in the "Eagle Hotel" ^d "Mansion House" and
"Clinton Hotel" was full. Mr. Ains worth, the
keeper of the "Eagle" had given the beds in the
attic story, that were usually occupied by the stage
drivers, to some of his court guests. So we were
called to lie on the floor in the bar-room, or sit up,
344 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
just as would suit our tastes best. After yawning
out our stories and getting tired of our entertain-
ment, and feeling the need of rest, I saw Constable
Beach pass along the street, on his round of
duty. At once I thought of the new beds under the
court-house, and suggested to the boys a plan for
lodging for the remaining short hours of the night.
The plan was this : we would go into the street and
get up a sham fight among ourselves ; Beach would
come along, arrest us and put us into the new rooms
and clean beds of the city "boarding house." Out
we all went, five or six of us, and began our row,
then clinched. Up came Beach in great haste,
arrested all of us, and hurried us over to the court-
house bed rooms. "There, boys, you can lie down
there if you choose. In the morning I shall take
you before Squire Warner," and he locked us in. In
the morning he came in and said : "You will all want
your breakfast. I will go over with you to the
^ Eagle.' I suppose you all board there." He saw
us laughing as we were straightening up, and asked :
"What was the fuss among you last night, boys?"
So we told him a plain, unvarnished tale. "Well,
go and get your breakfast, I will let you ofi" this
time, but you must not do it any more, boys." I
OLD MEMOEIES. 345
told him if there was any damage done, he must get
it out of Russ Aiusworth, and put it into the public
fund as "lodging money." Thurlow Weed was then
publishing in the village a small weekly paper, and
made a note of the afiair, under the caption of: "A
Joke on Constable Beach ; Cheap Lodgings at Cor-
poration Expense."
During my stay in the region, I visited the town
of Mendon, where my childhood and youth were
mostly spent. An old friend invited me to make
my home at his house while I remained there. And
a brother in Rochester, formerly a resident of that
place, Mr. S. F. Kjmball, accompanied me, having
sent on an appointment for the Sabbath. We were
met at the depot by Mr. Daniel Allen, who con-
veyed us to the village of East Mendon. This little
village has been left out by the railroad some three
miles to one side, which slighting has appeared to
dry up all the sources of business enterprise in this
once enterprising little burg. In our days of
staging, it was what we call out West a "right
smart place." Two or three daily lines of stages
changed horses, and breakfested and dined here, so
that a ready market was found for the hay, grain
and hotel provision the farmers of the region had to
346 FROM THE S'ftAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
dispose of. It contained four stores and two good
hotels ; — now, only one little store and one third or
fourth-class hotel. But this was not the most dis-
heartening change visible. The religious decline was
more depressing to me than all else. The two meet-
inghouses were standing nearly empty every Sabbath.
The Baptist house, where crowded congregations
used to meet, was now sparsely filled, and the same
was true of the Presbyterian. I met but few that I
recognized, and less, far less, that were members of
either of theae churches in 1828-1831. What few
there were that remembered me in my youth, had
some romantic story or frivolous trick of mine to
relate, to my chagi-in. Some of them were false,
only made up to perpetuate a bad record of youthful
folly and nonsense. Some of them told me of my
pranks in youth, that their fathers and mothers had
been cognizant of.
On Sunday my congregation was composed of
Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists, who had
come out to hear "the man who once was the fun-
making boy of Mendon," now an old Baptist
minister. They gave me a fair collection for the
object of my mission, and seemed to do it heartily,
as to the Lord. On Monday, I called on a number
OLD MEMORIES 347
of old friends, and then returned to Rochester. My
temporary home while in the city, was in the families
of A. and J. A. Hibbard, where I experienced as
much kindness and attention as I could expect from
my own children in sickness. No better nursing and
care could be bestowed on an own father. Long
shall I cherish a deep sense of gratitude to God for
these dear friends, and many others in the "Flour
City."
My stay in Mendon, though brief, brought to
mind frequently the person and character of one
who "being dead,' yet speaketh;" one who occupied
a large place in the hearts and thoughts of the
people, and who waged so successful a warfare
against sin and the devil, in this and adjoining
places. I refer to Elder Weaver.
348 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER XXIX,
ELDER WEAVER.
37VLDER Weaver — "Elder" was the much more
-■-^ common designation of ministers then, specially
Baptist ministers — was a power wherever he
preached. He was a farmer when he began preach-
ing, and was, strictly speaking, self-educated.
What he acquired was acquired from few books, and
without all the aids of the modern school system.
He had very noticeable peculiarities. He was a
large, bony, angular, rough-looking man. He was
what we boys used to call "cock-eyed," not exactly
cross-eyed, but the opposite of that, so that while he
seemed to be looking in one direction he would really
be looking in another. His complexion was exceed-
ingly dark, and his bushy whiskers as black as a
raven. These chin appendages were a source of
complaint on the part of his friend?. Whiskers on
a ministerial face were not as orthodox then as now.
His heavy black hair he used to wear quite long.
He often preached with his coat off.
ELDER WEAVER. 349
His praise was in all the chiirclies. * He was
eleven years pastor of the Mendon church. When
he settled there the church numbered twenty-one,
and worshiped in an old school-house, called the
"boiling spring," because they always had such
powerful devotional meetings. What temporary
place of worship receives any such epithet now, on
account of the meetings in it? This "boiling
spring" fact is as high praise, well-nigh, as could
be bestowed on a church. Brother Weaver was a
young man when he came to Mendon. He was
their second pastor, and this was his second
pastorate. The first was Jesse Brayman, who
afterwards apostatized to the Universalists, and met
his end by going into a well which caved in on him.
Elder Weaver was ordained at Lysander, Onon-
dagua County, near Syracuse, a much larger place
than Syracuse at that time. He was settled there
as pastor a couple of years.
There were seven years of continuous revival
during his eleven years' pastorate at Mendon.
There were five years in which additions were made
to the church by baptism at every communion.
This was stated in his farewell sermon, which
I went seven miles — from Kush, — to hear. I shall
never forget the opening hymn, on that day :
350 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
" Lord, what a wretched land is this,
That yields us no supply.
No cheering fruits, nor wholesome treea
Nor streams of living joy. '*
He was a great singer. Description would utterly
fail to give an adequate idea of him as a singer.
They used to say he sang everybody into the
church. His singing might not have been called
"fine" by the musical critics, but it was fairly
weighed down with soul. Negatively it was not
faulty, but positively it was heavenly to every devo-
tional soul.
He went down to New York to help the pastor
of the Broome-street church, Israel Robords, in a
protracted meeting ; and pulled off his coat like a
workman in fact. During the series of meetings,
the young men would say to one another : "Come,
let's go down to Broome street to meeting. There
is a man there who preaches like a man a-mowing.
He pulls off his coat."
He used to indulge at times in flights of real
eloquence. One instance : The galleries of his
church were crowded with young people one
evening, when a number of them kept up a constant
whispering and tittering. Turning towards them,
ELDER WEAVER. 351
he said, in a manner and with tones that cannot be
described any more than they can be forgotten :
"What an astonishing evidence of human depravity,
that while the man of God is declaring the way of
salvation by the Cross, young gentlemen and ladies
in the gallery should be making sport of the very
means of their salvation from sin and death — while,
peradventure, God's recording angel stands ready
to write * eternal damnation' on their hearts." The
result : a number were struck with conviction ;
among them, Miss Sally Roberts, afterwards the
first wife of Hon. H. E. Smith, of Rochester,
formerly of Fowlersville, New York, and Prince
Benedict, known to hundreds.
During his pastorate at Mendon, people, young
and old, came on ordinary occasions to hear him
from Victor, West and East Bloomfield, Perrington,
Pittsford, Henrietta, Rush, Lima and Avon, varying
from six to ten miles distant. Dr. Comstock,
pastor of the Baptist church in Rochester, used to
say, in pleasantry, when many of his congregation
would go fourteen miles to hear Brother Weaver :
"I guess we had better move our church out to
Mendon, you like to go there to meeting so well,
and so have but one pastor."
352 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
All his associates loved and respected him,
though they were not blind to his faults and did
not indorse all his methods. The following are
among his cotemporaries : O. C. Comstock, father
of the missionary ; Robert Powell, Philander
Kelsey, Norman Bent ley, I. Roberts, Marvin Allen,
Ichabod Clark, David and Jesse Corwiu, Alfred
Bennett, John Peck, cousin of J. M. Peck ; Horace
Griswold, Aristarchus Willey, Joseph and Jesse
Elliott, Zenas Case and Martin Coleman. These
men, all ministers, and mostly self-educated, were
raised up by God to meet the then-existing state of
things. They did their pioneer duty faithfully.
Their fragrant memory is a rich heritage to the
Church, Let their names forever be embalmed in
grateful hearts — among them, let Weaver be
remembered gratefully as long as any. He was
their equal.
REFLECTIONS — HOME AGAIN. 353
CHAPTER XXX.
REFLECTIONS — HOME AGAIN.
¥HE friends and churches in Rochester responded
cheerfully to the wants of the West. The
new interest, called the East avenue church, did a
noble thing, also the Lake avenue church. Both
of these had but recently been organized. The
pastors of the First and Second churches were
absent, but promised to help in the future. At a
prayer-meeting of the latter church, I took up a
collection of thirty dollars, and a brother from
Richmond, Virginia, gave me twenty-five dollars.
I attended the Monroe Association, and then left
for my Western home, expecting to make short
stops on the way.
In looking over this tour and visit, it is one of
the most gratifying to me personally of any I ever
made — as I was permitted to have more time in the
immediate communities where I had labored most
and longest, and as I went over the same ground
354 rK031 THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
where I had spent the days of my youth and the
vigor of my manhood, and where I had a degree of
success under the good Master's guiding hand and
the influence of the Spirit.
This reflection constantly impressed itself upon
me, "What Divine goodness has followed you all the
way in your life, even in the days 'of your guilt as
an openly profane sinner and thoughtless wanderer
from, a despiser of Jesus and His love to a lost
world!" The only regret was, that I had made
such poor improvement of the unnumbered blessings
showered upon my pathway for over forty years of
Christian life and public ministry. I had no good
reason to complain in other respects. I had been
kindly cared for, as a general rule. The brethren
had always treated me with the greatest kindness
and, in many instances, with needed leniency and
Christian liberality. As I passed out of New York,
I thought that, in all human probability, I should
never see this land of my nativity again, until I
should see it in its renovated condition, when
"purified by fire" and our Jesus shall have come
"the second time without sm unto salvation." I
am now an old man, and cannot expect to come
back again to this goodly old State, I thought, that
REFLECTIONS ^HOME AGAIN. 355
gave me birth and a field to labor in ; and so I said
"Farewell," as I gazed on her green hills to enter
Pennsj'lvania on my homeward-bound journey to
Kansas.
I spent one Sabbath at Coldwater and at
Kinderhook, and arrived safely in Burlington in
time to vote for Ulyssus S. Grant. The contract
for building the church edifice was made and the
work commenced, to be completed in the February
following, but the severity of the winter prevented.
The first week of January, 1873, was observed,
as is often the case, by a union of all the churches
in the place in a meeting for special prayer in
behalf of sinners. Some indications of the Divine
presence were manifested and the meetings con-
tinued. About this time, I went to Junction City
to attend a public religious meeting ; and being
earnestly solicited by Brother Greene and his
church to remain and assist in conducting some
special services, with a view of awakening an
interest in the things of salvation among the impeni-
tent, I consented. The meetings were protracted,
day and night, for three or four weeks, with good
results to many of the church and to a few
impenitent persons, when my health became quite
impaired, and I felt it my duty to return home.
356 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
[The preaching was most faithful and spiritual,
and yet the results were not what we all had
expected to see. There were some visible causes
to prevent the accomplishment of the greatest good.
The weather was, most of the time, severely cold.
The house could not be made comfortable. Many,
who would otherwise have been glad to come,
remained away in consequence. The hidden causes
of defeat in the case were undoubtedly still more
potent, if possible — at least, it was not for lack
of able, faithful preaching and personal effort at
the time, that scores were not converted. May
the seed sown in that inclement time yet bring
forth a rich harvest. — Ed.]
On my return home, I found the union meeting
quite disturbed by a spirit of sectarian selfishness,
quite out of character with the loud professions
of love of "union" when the protracted effort was
begun. One element of discord grew out of the
views of one class of Christians in regard to the
doctrine of personal holiness, this being made the
'^all in all;" and another bone of contention was
the control of the meeting, which was assumed by
one denomination. This had alienated the other
churches till it was thought best to separate, and
let those work together who could in the spirit of
the Gospel of peace. The work then took a new
BEFLECTIONS — HOME AGAIN. 357
impetus, and continued till late in the spring. A
large number were reclaimed who had become very
remiss in religious duty, and a number of the
impenitent converted to Jesus.
Just as the meeting was at its height, I received a
telegram from Central City, Colorado, urging me
to come to the assistance of Reverend D. S.
Bowker, up in the mountains of gold and silver.
I responded in person. The great meeting in
Denver, under the management of Reverend E. P.
Hammond, had been in progress some time when
1 arrived there, on my way up to Central. I
stopped only long enough to take the next train,
but long enough to see that God was in the place
in very deed, doing great things, whereof all
Christians were glad. Denver had not entirely
recovered from the "hardness" it had acquired
during the early gold fever days ; so that a pro-
tracted meeting could not be expected to have such
sway as it would in a more moral and church-going
town.
However, in proportion to the organized religious
forces in the city, undoubtedly as much was accom-
plished in Denver during the weeks of Mr.
Hammond's stay as in Keokuk, Iowa, in Blooming-
358 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
ton, Illinois, or Lawrence, Kansas. The city was
shaken from center to circumference. The largest
hall in the place was hardly sufficient to hold the
crowds that pressed to hear the Word of Life
preached and sung. The meeting held by special
request of the proprietor in the most spacious and
notorious dance-hall in the place one Sunday after-
noon, when it was estimated that of the thousand
present fully nine-tenths arose in response to the
different invitations for prayer, is one never to be
forgotten by those who had the privilege of being
present. Mr. Hammond himself regarded it as
one of the most solemn and powerful .meetings he
ever attended. He was in the best of spirit for
conducting such a strange meeting, being fresh
bodily and being sustained by many earnest, praying
Christians. The out-door meetings in Denver also
were remarkable, many of them especially so in
point of numbers and interest. Being present at
nearly every meeting of the whole series during
Mr. Hammond's stay, having been invited by
Bro. Scott to assist in the meetings, I know that,
under the circumstances, speculation and gambling
being rife in the city and a general spirit of world-
liness pervading society, the revival of 1873 was a
REFLECTIONS HOME AGAIN. 359
great success. Hundreds were renewed m spirit,
and became new men and women in Christ.
[The revival spirit extended to Georgetown,
Central and Golden, high up in the mountains, and
to Boulder, Evans, Greeley, Colorado Springs and
Pueblo, on the lower level. When we went to
Central, we found Brother Stimson hard at work,
with all the elasticity of spirit and hopefulness of a
young man, in a series of meetings at the new
chapel of the Baptist church. Brother Bowker
pastor. Whoever has labored, even for a short
time, in a mining town, knows something of the
hardness of the field. A mining town difi'ers from
all others. Of all difficult places to impress
religiously, such a town is the most difficult ; so
conceded by those of Avide experience. Anything
for the greatest good, that is lawful and right, being
Father Stimson's motto, he consented to the plan
proposed of discontinuing his meetings in the
Baptist house, and going in, for the time of his stay
at least, with Brother Hammond. So, although the
field didn't seem entirely clear, he took his place
as a "high-private," and worked with all the sim-
plicity and earnestness of a young convert.
After Brother Hammond's short stay in Central
was over. Father Stimson had so endeared himself
to the people and commended himself to the leaders,
that he was invited to remain and conduct the union
meetings. This he did as long as they continued
"union" meetings proper, much to the satisfaction
of those responsible in the conduct of the efi'ort,
360 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
and to the awakening of sinners and the edification
of the saints. The number of the latter in pro-
portion to the population was not very great, and
consequently their edification not a very long work.
The awakening of the sinners was a much more
tedious process. At the conclusion of the union
effort, Brother Stimson began meetings again in
Brother Bowker's chapel, which he conducted for a
number of days, accomplishing no little good, and
leaving a memory most fragrant among all good
people. Mr. Hammond spoke to us in the highest
terms of Father Stimson, whom he met for the first
time during this winter's campaign in Colorado.
He liked his spirit and admired his ability. It was
on his strongly expressed advice on the subject of a
suitable leader for the meeting in Central, as he was
about to go, that Father Stimson was unanimously
selected.
From this lofty mountain town Father Stimson
descended to the plain, and again found himself in
Denver, where he was at once comfortably housed
in Brother Scott's hospitable home, and where he
found a most congenial atmosphere in which to work,
side by side, with his young co -laborer of other
days in Leavenworth and Kansas. The great union
meetings in the evening at "Governor's Guard" Hall,
had been discontinued on Mr. Hammond's departure
for the mountain region of Central ; but Brother
Stimson found a good state of revival interest in the
meetings conducted by Brother Scott in his new
lecture room just opened for worship. Here he
remained and labored with great acceptance, pleas-
ure and profit, for more than a week. The interest
in the meeting increased during his stay. To the
fact of this experienced help from Brother Stimson,
REFLECTIONS — HOME AGAIN. 361
both timely and cordially rendered — whoever saw
him when he wasn't ready to work in a revival? —
and to the fact of the Christian shrewdness of
Brother Scott as a leader, is largely due the great
additional strength acquired by the Baptist cause in
Denver during the winter and spring of 1873. His
coming to Brother Scott at the time he descended
from Central, was like "the coming of Titus."
Afrer staying some days, and helping most
efficiently in gathering up the crumbs that nothing
might be lost, Father Stimson returned home with
the consciousness of having helped the Denver
pastor do successfully that most difficult work, —
close a long and deeply interesting protracted meet-
ing, in a way to counteract none of the good
accomplished, and bearing with him the blessings of
hundreds who had met him for the first time during
this working visit. He began at once to complete
the meeting house at Burlington, and to make the
arrangements for dedication. A few months were
sufficient, and the neat little structure was added to
the monuments of Father Stimson's zeal, enterprise
and faith. To build a little house in a little place is
often more of an undertaking than to build a large
edifice in a large place. There is so little capital
to work with — there are so few really independent
workers — the pastor has often to create and sustain
all the enthusiasm, besides doing three-fourths of
the planning and engineering, not to mention the
actual manual labor. The enterprise at Burlington
was no exception. It's no reflection on the one or
two male workers and the six or seven poor widows
in the church, to say that if it had not been for
Brother Stimson, or if his place had not been
supplied by some equally hopeful and courageous
362 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
pastor, the church would not now have a house of
worship or any immediate prospect of one. And in
the midst of hard times the outlook would not be
very cheering. A fitting close of an earnest, practi-
cal life, is the beautiful little chapel at Burlington,
an account of the dedication of which we copy from
the Kansas Evangel^ a paper which in its infancy
has done much for the cause in Kansas, and which
is one of the brightest stars of hope for the future.
—Ed.]
The new Baptist meeting house at Burlington was dedicated on
Sabbath, July 20th. It was a lovely day, and every arrangement was
complete. No apologies for faifure had to be made. A novel plan was
hit upon, which we will charge up against Brother Stimson, pastor,
for conducting the services. We will say to begin with, it was a
success. It was understood by all the denominations in the place (and
they have as many as any tawnr-in Kansas,) that the Baptists would
monopolize the whole Sabbath services of the town. Accordingly,
appointments were made for two services at the same hour, both
morning and evening, one at the Methodist Episcopal church, and the
ministers to alternate in the services. Brother Gunn, of Atchison, and
the Topeka pastor were the preachers. The congregations were large,
and Brother Gunn's sermons, at least, were good.
The new church is a fine, proud structure, 32x55 feet in size, with
arched ceiling and well furnished and located. A new organ, chande-
liers, a cosy orchestra, fine pulpit, baptistry, and carpets for the aisles,
make up some of the furniture. It is, in brief, the neatest church in
the place. The church membership is only about twenty, and none of
them wealthy ; the most of them poor. As we listened to the story of
their struggles to build this house for the Lord, we could but thank
God that He had given to His cause there such noble representatives.
Brother Stimson, though having reached his three score years and
ten, is still brave as a warrior, and is hardly conscious of his failing
strength. Through his efforts, principally, the work has been done.
What he could not get others to do, he did himself. The high esteem
in which he is held by the community gave him courage, and enabled
him to succeed.
REFLECTIONS HOME AGAIN. 363
"We must mention in particular, among other faithful workers,
Brother "William "Wigston, a mason by trade, who was Brother Stim-
son's right hand man. Before he came to Burlington, he took the
contract to build the abutments of a bridge across the Ohio river. He
then promised the Lord that whatever he made out of the contract,
above common wages, he would give to Him. The Lord blessed him.
After finishing the job, he decided to come to Burlington. Before
reaching there, he sent forward a beautiful Bible, hymn book and
communion set. Trye to his promise, when he arrived he at once put
$500 cash into this meeting house, besides building the foundation and
putting in the baptistry. He is now sexton, and delights in giving
much of his time to the service of the Lord. Would that our churches
had more of such men.
At the close of the morning service, the pastor read a statement rela-
tive to the financial condition of the church. It was found that the
house had cost $2,800, acd that a balance of $800 remained unprovided
for. Collections and pledges were taken sufficient to reduce this
amount to $500.
We left this little band hopeful, having received a fresh inspiration
to work from the example set by the Burlington Church.
364 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER XXXI.
MY VIEWS OF THE INDIANS — ^MISCELLANY.
vjJeFORE I came to Kansas, I had an exalted
-L>^ idea of the character of the American Indian
as a noble specimen of human nature. In some
respects he really is so ; as for instance , in his native
condition, as a muscular and well built anim'al,
capable of great endurance, and a "good feeder." He
has intellect sufficient to be cunning, and to make a
first-class tyrant in any situation where he has the
chance. With an Indian, "might is right." Hence
all the females, in every tribe I have seen or heard
of, the mothers, wives and daughters are the most
abject slaves, compelled to do all the drudgery in
the wigwam and on the hunt ; see to all the ponies,
bring all the wood and water, dress all the game,
tan all the buffalo hides, and take care of the
papooses besides. A professed Christian Indian acts
like all the rest in these respects. The Osage
Indians are doubtless the best developed specimens
MY VIEWS OF THE mDIANS. 365
in a physical point of view, of all the tribes in Kan-
sas. And they are an unrelenting, revengeful set of
savages, never forgiving a real or supposed injury.
I once had occasion to be among them three or
four days, and got perfectly cured of all my notions
of Indian superiority, Fenimore Cooper and the
Quaker peace agents to the contrary notwithstand-
ing. I shall waste but few more tears over their
condition, at my time of life. I hope they will all
inherit "happy hunting grounds" when they are
through with the chase here. Only I am thankful
that I am not called to labor to prepare them for
the enjoyment of those grounds. I don't think I
ever had the faith to work forty years and see no
fruit of my labor. The Modocs are no exception to
the general Indian rule.
A gentlemanly Indian agent had invited a number
of friends to go with him and his escort to the
Osage Reserve, as he Was going to pay the annuities.
So, several ladies and gentlemen of us started on a
pleasure trip. Probably none of them will ever
want to go on a similar pleasure excursion, espe-
cially the ladies. If you refuse to eat with an
Indian when he has made a feast, he won't forgive
the insult without a large present of some kind.
366 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
The feast on this occasion was dried buffalo meat,
strong coffee, aad biscuits made of the best of flour
and baked before the fire on sheet-iron pans. These
biscuits were the only thing we relished, and we
ceased to relish them after we saw the squaws mix
them up. We never took a second meal with as
much appetite as the first. The dried meat is cut
into fine pieces, put into a kettle and then boiled in
water, thickened with flour till it is of the consis-
tency of soup. This is turned into a large pan,
around which all the company sit on the grass, and
help themselves by dishing out the mixture with
their spoons. No plates. Indians, white men and
women, compose the company. No squaws. The
coffee is dipped off as you need it in little tin cups.
After the Indians (squaws are simply squaws) and
the guests are served, the squaws and papooses have
their meal, if there is any left — and by eating all,
including coffee-grounds, no matter how much is
left. Then the dogs come up and wash the dishes,
and all is ready for the next meal.
I wished to post the ladies of the company on all
the facts of Indian life, and told them of the assis-
tance the dogs rendered at each meal. They at
once begged to be excused from appearing at table
MY VIEWS OF THE INDIANS. 367
a second time. We excused them; but if the
Indians did, we never knew it. They inquired for
the "(7a7i a mah pojpo''' — the pretty women. One
of the party told a lie by saying that they were sick
in the wagons. At which the chief said : "Eat
too much, ha?" Our friend nodded "yes." I
forgave the lie, and that was just as well as if
Father Schoemaker, the Catholic priest, had done
it. The women certainly were sick at their
stomachs whenever they thought of eating with
the Indians.
This Father Schoemaker has been among them
over forty years. He is a quaint character, old but
vigorous. He belongs to the Jesuits. He has
given names to streams and other natural objects
in the region of the Mission, and has built some
very substantial buildings for the uses of his church ;
but, although the Mission has been established
forty-eight years, and every possible appliance has
been used to civilize and educate and Jesuitize this
tribe, yet, up to this time, not the first son or
daughter of the Osages has been converted to
Christianity, or even to Catholicism I I mean a
full-blooded Osage. A few French traders have
been adopted into the tribe, and have married Osage
368 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
women. Their children have become Catholics, but
not civilized. If the gray-haired monk of a priest
who hums his Catholic songs about his secluded
home in the forest, takes any comfort at the retro-
spect of a long life spent among the Indian tribe
with the results such as I have indicated, he is not
begrudged it by me. I wouldn't disturb his dream.
The Government has been induced to give this old
man a section of land for his services at the Osage
Mission, now in Neosho County ! It is understood
he began his labors among the tribe by telling them
that Jesus was a great war Chief, and his apostles
"braves," who accomplished great exploits in the
slaughter of their enemies. The results have been
little or no more cheering where the Gospel has
been preached to them, I am compelled to say.
Efforts have been made to educate them in the
rudiments — reading, writing and arithmetic ; and
yet, not one in ^ve hundred can do the simplest
example in addition or subtraction. Still, this old
Jesuit must be made a beneficiary of the Govern-
ment to the amount of several hundred thousand
dollars in all ! I blush to say that the effects of
the Protestant labors among the Indians have not
been much more encouraging. The mission among
MY VIEWS OF THE INDIANS. 369
the Sacs and Fox tribes by the Methodists, and
the Delawares by the Baptists, have been a little
more successful than such efforts generally. Rev.
G. W. Pratt, now of Leavenworth, accomplished a
good work in the latter tribe, as long as he remained
among them. The same is true of the Ottawas, for
whom Father Meeker, a godly man, labored for
thirty years.* But, as the white man came in with
whisky and its fore-runner, beer, the whole tribe
apostatized to drunkenness and a life of laziness ;
and, although the Baptist denomination and the
United States Government expended great sums of
money to civilize and Christianize them, all that
remains is the remnant of the school proj^erty at
Ottawa and a little quarter-blood Indian girl, who
hears her voice echo through those halls of "lite-
rature and science."
If the missionaries now in Kansas, working
industriously and self-denyingly among the enter-
prising immigrants in our new cities and settlements
which will soon be an honor to the nation and
humanity, were to make no more permanent, prac-
* The press that S. S. Prouty used in printing the Neosho Valley
Register, in 1859, was brought to this country by Father Meel^er,
forty years ago
370 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
tical impression on the white inhabitants, the
societies they represent would withhold all support.
They don't come far short of it, in some cases, now.
The philosophy of the Indian nature, I do not
attempt to explain. I do know this much :
First, The Indian has no relish for intellectual
improvement or moral advancement. He loves
whisky, tobacco and all such vile stimulants.
Second, He will not work, under any circum-
stances. Even those who have been claimed as
partially civilized, will not labor.
Third, The large majority of the Government
agencies among them have only tended to increase
their savage, hopeless life.
Fourth, The exceptions found to the above esti-
mate of Indian character are persons who have some
white blood in their veins, like Eli S. Parker, a
noble man. Show me an exception among pure-
bloods ! In view of all I have seen and learned of
the Indian, I am half inclined to believe in Darwin :
at least I should not have blamed him much if he
had come into personal contact with the Indian
before bringing out his "development theory."
Fifth, Gratitude is not found in the Indian's
vocabulary, nor is it an element of his nature. An
MISCELLANY. 371
Indian never considers himself under obligations to
any one.
I have entertained Indians in the most hospitable
manner I was capable of under the circumstances,
giv^iug him the best my home afforded, and then in
a few days called on him and remamed over night,
and in the morning have paid a bill of two dollars
and fifty cents for the entertainment.
THE MAN WHO FOUND OUT THAT HE COULD
ANSWER HIS OWN PRAYERS.
Deacon W , of B , in Western New York,
a good Christian man, but somewhat formal and
prolix in his family devotions, was more orthodox
than practical in his Christianity. One morning while
at family prayer, there came to the door a poor man
with a bag under his arm, to get from the deacon a
small grist of wheat for his needy family. It was
a time of great scarcity in breadstuffs. While
listening to the deacon's supplication, which included
among other good things, a request that the Lord
would remember the poor in the place that were in
want of bread, his courage and confidence grew
apace. Bis soul was filled with gratitude and hope,
372 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
as he stood and listened to the words of the deacon :
"Now, O Lord, open thy hand, and in thy ever
liberal Providence, supply the wants of the needy,
feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Thou canst
do it. Almighty Father, as giving dost not impov-
erish Thee. There are many in our commimity
sick, and many poor that are suffering for bread.
O, Lord, supply them in the riches of thy fullness,
for Christ's sake. Amen."
Poor Mr. J , who had stood at the door all
this time, could but weep as he heard the words of
the deacon, a member with him of the same church,
and he said to himself, "I shall get the wheat;" at
the same time thanking God that he belonged to a
church that had such a sympathizing deacon. He
rapped on the door and was admitted. After
answering kind inquiries about his sick wife and
little ones, he made known the object of his visit —
he wished to get a grist of wheat. "Well, well.
Brother J , I should like to accommodate you,
but wheat is two dollars a bushel in Eochester, and
I think I must raise some money in a few days. I
am sorry I can't help you in your time of great
want while your family is sick; but I wish you
could get it somewhere else." Mr. J went
MISCELLANY. 373
away with a heavy heart, having suddenly lost his
confidence in the deacon's sincerity.
A little fair-haired, black-eyed grandson that had
been kneeling with his grand-parent and heard him
pray for the poor, looked up in his face and said,
"Well, Grandpa, if I could have answered my
prayer this morning as easy as you could, I would
have given Mr. J a bag full of wheat."
"Would you, Charley?'' inquired the old man.
"Yes, I would, because that is what you asked the
Lord to do." " Call him back, Charley." Mr. J
returned, and the deacon handed him the granary
key and said, "Go to the barn and fill youi- bag.
Brother J , and if you want anything while your
family is sick, come here and get it. I have just
found out that I can answer my own prayers, and
shall endeavor to do it the remainder of my short
life."
On Sabbath he arose in his place in the meeting
house, after sermon, and asked the pastor if he
could have the privilege of speaking. Of course
consent was given, and he related the facts as above
stated, and concluded by sayuig, "I have just learned
by this incident that God has so arranged His divine
economy as to enable me and others to answer our
own prayers in five cases out of eight."
374 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
A SHORT WAY WITH A SKEPTIC.
An old infidel asked me once to explain the
reason why God made the children of Israel travel
forty years in the wilderness, when they could hare
crossed to the promised land in four days and a half ?
I told him I would think the matter over, and call
on him with a solution of the matter in a few days,
and then, turning on my heel, said I would also
give him a question to answer at the same time, or
now. "It is this : Anatomical professors tell us
that the canals in the human body are about nine
yards in length. Now, I want you to explain to me
why they should be crossing backward and for-
ward through the chest and abdomen to twenty-
seven feet in length, when one straight canal about
twenty-two inches long would have answered?"
"Well, Elder, you have got me. I will quit if you
wiU."
THE EFFECT OF A PERSONAL APPLICATION OF THE
TRUTH.
I went to assist a Brother S in Western New
York, where a deacon had struck a neighbor's hog
and killed it ; but he would not confess it or pay
the damage. The pastor and best members of the
MTSCELLAKY. 375
church were greatly grieved, all being confident that
he was guilty. But it could not he proved, as two
trials had been held — one by the church and one by
a legal court — all to no purpose. The deacon was
quite officious, always in the front seat, ready to
exhort, to sing or pray ; and every time he would
begin to speak or pray, the man whose hog the
deacon had killed would get up and go out, along
with a number of personal friends who sympathized
with him in his hatred of the deacon. By and by,
when the deacon was through, they would all come
back and take their seats. I had heard of these
movements before from a minister who had been
there on a visit, and gone away mortified at the
ill success of the effort made, and indignant at the
obstinate deacon.
I got there on Saturday afternoon, and took a
survey of the situation at the evening meeting. I
was satisfied from what I saw, who the man, Deacon
S , was. That night I found the pastor and his
wife all weighed down like a cart with sheaves, on
account of the state of things in the church.
Sabbath came and passed, with about the same
results. The evening was approaching, and the
thought of having one man block up the way of
376 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
salvation to a church, while smuers were looking on
with a degree of triumph over the inconsistency and
open wickedness of one of the members, pressed
upon me with great weight. The question had
become a serious one with me, "Can I do or say
an}i;hing to make this faulty brother do right, and
remove this awful stone of stumbling? What shall
I preach about?" I finally fixed upon this passage
in the fifty-first Psalm, verses 10, 11, 12 and 13:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew
a right spirit within me. Cast me not from thy
presence ; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation ; and
uphold me with thy free Spirit. Then will I teach
trangressors thy ways ; and sinners shall be con-
verted unto thee." I went on to show what a
wicked man David was on one occasion, even after
Grod had called him "a man after His own heart."
I was about to close and saw that the deacon was as
unmoved as a stone, although the rest of the con-
gregation were manifesting the deepest interest.
"Is it possible," I thought, "that I must close this
sermon and meetino: this evenino^ and the deacon
remain impenitent for his wrong, and the man he
had injured go to hell over his obstinate conduct?"
MISCELLANT. 377
I leaned over the high desk and addressed myself
personally to the deacon thus: "Now, Deacon
S , as you love the salvation of your neighbor
A from eternal perdition, and as you killed his
hog', and you know that all your brethren believe
you did, go this minute to him and confess your sin,
and ask his forgiveness. Don't let one miserable
swine keep you from the smiles of Jesus, and
Mr. A out of the blessed Kingdom." And
while I was yet speaking, he arose and went to
A , took him by the hand and made a full con-
fession of all, saying, "Neighbor A , I killed
your hog and I am sorry for it. I hope you will
forgive me. And if you will come to my house
to-morrow, I will pay you the full worth of the hog
and the cost of the suit." A broke down,
acknowledged himself a sinner, and was soon believ-
ing in Jesus as his Savior. This was the starting
point of a great work. I staid and preached day
and night for five weeks. The pastor baptized more
than eighty who were converted during the meeting ;
and the church was restored to harmony.
378 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPlT
TAKING A MAN AT HIS WORD.
When I had returned to reside in Warsaw the
second time, there was still living in that community
an old friend, who was addicted to coining jokes on
the nunisters, if practical jokes, all the better. I
met him in the village one day, and asked him if I
could get some hay of him, it being haying time.
"Well, yes, Elder, you come up with your wife and
make us a visit, and I will put in all the hay you can
carry home in your buggy. I don't expect to get
anything out of ministers for hay, as they hardly
ever pay for anything of the kind, even if they agree
to." "Well, Mr. B.," I said, "I hardly think Mrs.
Stimson would be willing to ride with a bundle of
hay, but I will come up with a one-horse wagon and
get a "bundle" when it is cut. When shall I come?"
"Next Monday, if it don't rain."
So I went and got a large one-horse lumber
wagon, and put on a common two horse hay rack.
I had a heavy, stout horse that weighed about twelve
hundred. So oflf I started with a boy to help me
load. The hay was all put up in the nicest order in
the meadow. I had loaded on eleven big bunches
when Mr. B. came up, and after surveying the whole
establishment, said: "That's what you call a buggy,
MISCELLANY. 379
is it?'* "It's a one-horse wagon, Mr. B., and thafs
what I told you I should come with." So he took
hold nud helped me. We turned to the next row of
bunches, and put on eleven more, makhig twenty-
two in all. "There," said he, "go ahead; but you
will never get home with it, and if you don't, you
shall pay for it." When I got to the village, I had
it weighed. It made just twenty-two hundred and
fifty weight. Mr. B. has not yet heard the last of
the "bundle" of hay in a one-horse wagon, and has
concluded to "come" no more dry jokes on poor
ministers.
I HAVE OBSERVED that there are two things about
which the mass of mankind are determined to be
humbugged, Religion and Medicine.
A religion of fanatical incantations, Mormonism,
Spiritualism, Universalism, Heathenism and Devil-
ism, all cater to the vitiated tastes and depraved
desires of poor human nature. And men naturally
appear to prefer any one of these to a knowledge of
the "Truth as it is in Jesus," that is pure and unde-
filed, and that is consistent with good common sense
and sound judgment.
380 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
The same is true in regard to Medicine. Men
will employ quack physicians, and take quack nos-
trums, much sooner than take really useful remedies.
I heard a doctor of the quack school tell a family
that had a sick daughter, that her complaint was of
the heart, ^. e. "the heart-string had become so
relaxed and elongated, that the heart had fallen
down below its proper place, and as it swung back
and forth like a clock-pendulum, it struck on the
sides of her chest and produced a soreness ; " and
as a remedy he prescribed what he called "pucker
root" and alum, sweetened with honey, to contract
the heart-string. The dear family thought he under-
stood the case exactly. The next week the poor
sufferer died, and I attended her funeral. I thought
he ought to be classed with "Dr. Terrible," who, it
is said, bled the devil, using a pickaxe for a lancet.
I HAVE OBSERVED, and am convinced, that rich
ministers are, as a general thing, a drug upon the
church and congregation. If they are able to preach
to the church for nothing, they become indolent,
penurious and sleepy. I never knew of a church
that paid their minister up promptly, that was not
MISCELLANY. 381
happy and prosperous. A church that is always
pleading as an excuse for not giving to charitable
objects, that they must pay their minister first, but
that are constantly in debt to him and the sexton, is
a church the poor in which are obliged to take care
of themselves, or go to the poor-house.
Persons that come late to church are tlie first to
complain of long sermons ; and those that sleep in
sermon time are the first to detect the defects in the
discourse.
ELDER JACOB KNAPP IN ROCHESTER.
I was present in the meeting at the First Baptist
church in Eochester, New York, that Brother Knapp
was conducting, and as many have regarded the
"lightning" story as an exaggeration, I feel called
upon to confirm the facts as related in his autobiog-
raphy, edited by Dr. R. Jeffery. It is true in all its
particulars. The first volley of brickbats had been
thrown at the church. The pulpit then stood in the
end next to the street, with a large window behind
it ; so that the mob had a fair chance at the person
of the preacher, whom they hated with a cruel
hatred. The most blinding lightning that I ever
382 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
remember to have seen, flashed at the very moment,
flooding the whole of Fitzhugh and Buffalo streets
with a blaze of light, accompanied with the most
stunning thunder-burst. The mob fled in such haste
that not ten of them were left in the street in five
minutes' time. To saint and sinner it was evident
that God had interposed to defend His truth, and
the preacher from violence.
PASTORATES.
I have been pastor of fourteen churches in forty-
three years, and have had a salary all the way fr©m
one hundred and fifty dollars to sixteen hundred
dollars per year. I have never been able to discover
the difference between a small one and a large one.
Each would come out about the same. Perhaps the
large one was a little more gratifying to my family.
WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR ME AND BY ME IN
FORTY YEARS.
I have preached over ten thousand sermons, such
as they have been. I have baptized eighteen hun-
dred and eighty-seven professed believers in Jesus,
MISCELLANY. 383
the Savior of sinners ; among that number, fifteen
ministers, three of them Pedobaptists, two Meth-
odists, and one Presbyterian. I have attended six
hundred and thirty-four funerals. I have solemnized
four hundred and twenty-eight marriages. I have
been present at one hundred and fifty-four ordina-
tions and organizations of Baptist churches. I have
voted for President of the United States from Gen-
eral Andrew Jackson to Grant, nine in all. I didn't
vote for all that were elected ! I am thankful for
that. My sins are so many less, as there have been
worthless men among the nine. I have assisted more
than three hundred poor fleeing fugitives, from the
house of bondage of Southern slavery into Canada,
and in many instances at the risk of being imprisoned
for the violation of the fugitive slave law, for which
a wicked, pro-slavery congress was guilty. And I
would do the same thing to-morrow, under the same
circumstances. So miich for repentance on that
subject.
I HAVE TRAVELED in tweuty-two of the States
of the Union, in both the Canadas and in "New
Jersey" — in all, miles enough to girdle the earth
four times. I have preached in them all, except
384 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
Texas — and there I was not permitted to remain
long enough, as the rebel "bushwhackers" cared
more for our horses and watches than for our
Gospel. We thought, as the lame captain expressed
it, "Doubtless there is to be a great battle, and as
we shall have to retreat in the end, therefore, as I
am lame, I will go now." So we left Texas as soon
as good horses would convey us out safely into
Kansas. What I saw of it, convinced me that it was
then not a good State to be in, except for cattle
and horse-thieves. And I have had no special
desire to return.
A MODERN ZACCHEUS.
In one of our precious revivals in Western New
York, a time when all the community were spell-
bound by the Spirit of God, a case occurred similar
to the one when Jesus was on earth, recorded in
Luke xix. 5-6 :
"And when Jesus came to the place. He looked
up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus,
make haste, and come down ; for to-day I must
abide at thy house."
"And he made haste, and came down, and
received Him joyfully,"
MISCELLANY. 385
A young gentleman, of high standing among his
friends and the wealthy, was an attendant upon the
meeting in progress. He became quite affected and
solemn, but for a long time made no effort to come
out boldly and confess Christ. One afternoon, just
after the meeting had opened, he sent up to the desk
a short notice y requesting the pastor to go with him
to the study, as he wished to see him on important
business at once. I left the meeting in charge of a
deacon, and retired to the study, as requested. He
commenced by saying, as soon as we took our seats :
"Mr. Stimson, the facts I am about to divulge will
ruin me for this life and perhaps for the life to come.
It is this : I was a clerk in a store in the city
of — — , State of Michigan ; and while there
employed, I was guilty of purloining some very
costly silks and satins, which I have now in my
trunk, as I have never had an opportunity of
disposing of them; being, too, under the constant
impression that I should be detected if I offered
them for sale. Now, God, by His Spmt and the
truth, has arrested me, and four long weeks I have
been like a man on coals of fire. Now, I ask you,
as my pastor, what to do ; and I will do it, if it
disgraces me and my family, and I have to lie in
386 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
the State's prison for years, I will do it ; for to live
under this burden of mind, I cannot any longer.
To me it is a living death, by day and by night."
I was overwhelmed and amazed at the confession
of the young merchant, as he was then a partner
in a thriving business in the village. I locked the
door, and then engaged in a moment of prayer with
him. When we arose from our knees, I said :
"Now, my young friend, you go and get your trunk,
with the goods in it, and start for Michigan at once ;
and when you arrive at the place, call the firm
together, and, without gloss or guile, confess your
sin, and throw yourself upon their clemency, and
be prepared to take what follows." He at once
said, "I will do it." At his request, I wrote a letter
to the parties wronged, stating the circumstances
of his confession and of his relations in life and
business standing. I then sent him with a boy to
drive my buggy to the depot, four miles away.
The next day he arrived at the place of his destina-
tion, restored the goods and made an unvarnished
confession, and received a full pardon from the
parties. These Christian gentlemen, for such they
were, wrote me a most cordial and Christian letter,
in which they expressed confidence in the ^eep
MISCELLANY. 387
repentance of the young man ; and said that they
had not missed the goods, and never should have
known of his thieving, if he had not confessed it.
He soon came before the church, related his expe-
rience, expressing himself as a great sinner against
God. To this day, he is an exemplary, honorable
Christian man in one of the Eastern cities. How
much better and wiser the course of this young
man, than that pursued by many, who, rather than
expose themselves and their fellow-men, go on with
a canker constantly eating away at their souls ;
feeling every moment that God is against them,
being cognizant of all the facts of their wickedness,
and Jesus continually inviting to come down and
give them entertainment in the homes of their
hearts. Those who comply, find pardon and peace.
Near twenty years have passed, and no one
has ever known the above facts but the parties
concerned. I can keep a secret, if I never have
joined a secret lodge.
388 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER XXXn.
SERMONS — ALMOST A CHRISTLO^.
"Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a
Christian.
" And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all
that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am,
except these bonds."— Acts xxvi. 28-29.
MAN is a religious being. Religion is an
inherent principle in his nature, raising him
above all other animal tribes. His instincts and
aspirations place him on an altitude above all the
residents of earth. Being a religious intelligence,
he is possessed of all the endowments of immor-
tality. He is responsible for his conduct to the
remotest limit of its influence. K it were not for
his upward instincts, his degradation would be
hopeless. If he didn't care for immortality, he
would be beyond moral reach.
Men are compelled unwittingly to pay tribute and
respect to the Christian religion, even when they
SERMONS. 389
know nothing by experience of its real merits.
Thus, Agrippa, his heathen conscience stirred by
Paul's masterly defense of its great fundamental
truths, cried out : "Almost thou persuadest me to
be a Christian." Men have only to let go their
hold on sin and let their principles, which are at
best but little better than sins, fly to the wuids, and
multitudes would be led to make the same excla-
mation, and to look at the cross by faith, which
would result in making them Christians altogether.
Let us proceed to notice :
I. What constitutes a Christian in reality.
n. What is it to become almost a Christian, and
yet fail.
m. Persuasion for all men to become Christians
in fact.
1. A Christian is a regenerated sinner. The
Holy Spirit regenerated him. There can be no
substitute for regeneration. Very many are deceived
by human substitutes. As one says : "I am a
Christian by birthright. My parents had me bap-
tized in my infancy. I have learned the catechism
and keep the law of our church, and have been
confirmed as a true child of God by the bishop or
priest." All this gives no claim to being a Christian,
390 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT
and is a trap of Satan to deceive and ruin the souls
of men. There must be a radical change of his
entire moral nature. He must be born again, as
John says, i. 12, 13 :
"But as many as received Him, to them gave He
power to become the sons of God, even to them that
believe on His name :
"Which were bom, not of blood, nor of the will
of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.''
Jesus taught the same doctrine to Nicodemus
(John iii. 3, 4, 5) :
"Jesus answered and said unto him. Verily, verily,
I say unto thee. Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God.
"Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be
born when he is old ? Can he enter the second time
into liis mother's womb, and be born?
"Jesus answered, Yerily, verily, I say unto thee,
Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
This, beloved, is the only way of making a
Christian in reality. This work of the Spirit will
manifest itself in repentance of sin, by faith in the
Son of God, and in obedience to the law of His
Gospel. This will make a man a Christian in fact.
SERMONS. 391
He will be a new creature. "Therefore, if any man
he in Christ, he is a new creature : old things
are passed away; behold, all things are become
new." (II Cor. v. 17.) He will be a Christian in
reality, and not by any mummery of human
invention.
2. A Christian is controlled in his conduct by
principle and not by emotion. Multitudes act from
the emotional part of their nature, and deceive
themselves by thinking that this emotion is a
ground of belief that they are Christians. Nothing
is more delusive and destructive of their present
and eternal interest in Christ. Religion is a
principle^ and all the duties of a religious life
must have their base in it. Emotional religion is
a prolific source of apostacy from Christ and the
Church. Many ministers of Christ contribute to
this state of things seen so often in the declension
of those who "did run well," by saying, in sub-
stance, "get up your feelings, and then go to work
for Grod." Thus, many are waiting for the tide
of their emotion to rise and their zeal to be inflated,
so that they can float into religious enjoyment;
when the great efibrt should be to get down upon
the solid rock of pure Christian principle, of
"Christ in you the hope of glory."
392 FPwOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
Far be it from me to say anything against emotion.
It acts upon the Christian as a fair breeze does upon
the ship ; it helps it into port. With a favoring
wind he sings :
" Homeward bound, Homeward bound.'*
But if his ship is unsound in the hull, every increas-
ing breeze only makes her creak, and hastens its
destruction. It is a sorry case to have the wind
blow fair and to be constantly crying to the men at
the pumps : "Heave ho ! boys, heave ho ! boys, we
shall all go to the bottom if you don't work the
pumps." So it is with your sentimental professor,
who is void of true principle, based on Christ's
finished work of atonement.
3. A true Christian applies himself to the work
of Christ in doino^ somethino^ and all he can to
extend His Kingdom among men. He will seek out
opportunities to develop the power of the Gospel.
To him the world is the field, and while he is in it
he will find something to do in the private interview,
in the family, in the Sunday school, in the prayer-
meeting, sowing beside all waters. He will get
good by doing good. The best proof of one's
Christianity, consists in appljdng one's self to
Christ's work.
SERMONS. 393
We have now seen what a Christian is in reality.
Let us ask,
II. What it is to be almost a Christian, and yet
fail?
A person, having his birth and being in a country
where the Gospel is proclaimed in ajl its fullness,
and where he has enjoyed the constant means of
salvation, being still without hope in Christ, the
Savior of sinners, may be said to be "almost a
Christian." A stranger to human depravity and to
the obstinate state of mind to which the sinner is
habituated, would say, in looking at the sweet,
heavenly influences by which they are surrounded :
these, who hear oft-repeated invitations to embrace
Christ, who are the objects of the wooings of the
Spirit of God, surely are all Christians. But,
what is the fact? Only almost, not quite yet
possessed of a good hope, not quite yet destitute
of a good hope. They can say, the land that gave
me birth is denominated a " Christian " country ; and
yet, the truth remains they are "without God and
without hope in the world" — almost Christians, but
making the sad failure of neglecting the one thing
needful in the very midst of the richest privileges.
Not to be able to say, "I know that my Kedeemer
394 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
liveth," is to make the fatal mistake of all time, is
to come short of the end of creation.
2. There are very many who acknowledge the
cardinal truths of the Bible, the reality of heaven,
the awful existence of hell and the propriety of a
coming judgment day, in which all the world are to
be judged ; they attend upon the ordinary and even
extraordinary means of grace, and yet have never
yielded to the claims of the Gospel, and are only
almost Christians. "His Spirit has striven with me
by day and by night. His people have prayed for
me, and companions that loved Him have invited
me, my Christian parents have wept over me, I have
had my foot on the very threshold of the Kingdom
of the blessed Church of Christ, and yet I have
no abiding evidence that I have been regenerated
by the Spirit of God ; no comforting assurance
of connection with Jesus.; I am only almost a
Christian. I have only desired heaven as a refuge
into which to escape from the storm of indignant
wrath that will one day overtake me ; a retreat to
keep me out of perdition. I have no relish for the
society of the pure in heart that surround the throne
of God and the Lamb. I was almost a Christian
once, but I have made a sad failm-e, an eternal fail-
SER3IONS. 395
lire." This, doubtless, will be the regret of many.
They will have to appropriate the language of one of
old, *The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and
I am not saved.' Procrastination and the love of
sin have kept me in the state of being almost a
Christian.
Pauline Colburn was a young lady brought up
under the most sweet influences of a kind and relig-
ious family, and often the subject of deep impres-
sions of her condition as a sinner out of Christ.
Constant in her place in the house of God ; every
Sabbath joining her voice in the songs of worship ;
she often told me as her pastor, that she meant to
yield to the claims of the blessed Jesus. So tender
were her feelings, that one would think she was not
far from the kingdom of God, only not quite ready
to offer herself up unto the Master then and there.
She was in the gallery on Sunday, and sang as
sweetly as ever. She wept while in conversation,
but hesitated, and went home. On Monday morning
she arose from the breakfast table, and retired to her
room, exclaiming : "I have been almost a Christian,
but never loved Christ ; now I am dying," and in
five minutes she was a corpse. Almost a Christian I
Poor girl ! Almost a Christian !
But let us conclude by noticing :
396 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO TIHE PULPIT.
III. The Persuasions presented for all men to
become Christians.
^ 1. Sin in its very nature and tendency is destruc-
tive of all human happiness, present and prospective.
God hath said : "There is no peace to the wicked."
How true this is in all the history of sin and sinners !
We have a way of graduating sin. "Small sins,"
"little sins," are every day spoken of among men.
It is well to remember that : " Sin is the transgres-
sion of the Law," and the Law is a transcript of the
perfections of Deity. Sin, then, is the violation of
God's own rights as our King, Law-giver, Father and
Redeemer. So then, he that sins is contending
against the Almighty. Beloved, do not let us talk
about "little sins." No one ever became an outra-
geous sinner at once. It is sinning by degrees that
auo^ments us into incorrio:ible sinners.
In the British navy a ship was ordered so con-
structed that every timber in it should undergo a
strict inspection, and no stick should be used in this
war structure that was the least defective. A car-
penter was at work on a huge oak beam, into
which he thrust the point of his scratch-awl. He at
once called the attention of the inspector to the
defect. He came and examined it, and turned
SERMONS. 397
away, saying, '*It is nothing but a little worm hole.
It never can do any damage." The noble ship was
completed, rigged and furnished with every appoint-
ment for a long voyage, with a noble staff of officers
and seamen. But when far out on old ocean, she
was found to be weak in an important place. Search
was made, and to the astonishment of all, it was
found out that the timber with a little worm hole
was now perforated through and through with worm
holes, and was but little better than a stick of sand.
It was so placed as to receive the greatest strain.
Orders were given to steer for the nearest port.
But soon a storm came on, and the two combined
forces of wind and wave grappled with it, and the
new ship, staunch and strong as all supposed, was
conquered. It became the victim of the sea. It
went to the bottom, carrying all on board but three,
to tell the sad tale of the disaster caused by the
little worm hole. Precious lives and costly freight
go to the bottom continually in the great world
from just such insignificant causes.
Sin that may at the time be but little, if not
repented of will bring destruction like a whirlwind,
and send the sinner to the bottom of the great abyss
beyond the hope of recovery. Little sins and
398 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
great sins are of the same family. One has grown
to great proportions. The other is growing. Then
be persuaded to break off your sins by turning to
Jesus, in whom alone all true happiness and all
safety are found.
2. 'AH men are persuaded to become Chris-
tians by the consideration of what Christ has
accomplished. The love of God in giving the
Son of His love, is an incentive of the highest
order. It not only claims your attention, but
it demands your admiration and homage. God
so loved the world of sinners. "/S'o" — that little
word "50/" Oh, sinner, I wish you and I under-
stood it ! So loved the sinner as to give His only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might
not perish but have everlasting life. And then, in
addition to all this, consider the appliances and
influences set at work to persuade you to yield to
the claims of the Gospel : "For the love of Christ
constraineth us ; because we thus judge, that if one
died for all, then were all dead." The love of Christ
urges you to stop and think how much Jesus has
suffered for you. Were there ever love like His?
'Tor God is love." (i. John iv. 8.) All His per-
fections and procedures are but so many modifica-
SERMONS. 399
tions of his love. What is His omnipotence but
the arm of His love ? What is His omniscience
but the medium through which he contemplates the
objects of His love ? What is His wisdom but the
scheme of His love? What are the offers of
the Gospel but the invitations of His love ? What
the threatenings of the law but the warnings of His
love? They are the hoarse voice of His love, say-
ing, "Man, do thyself no harm." They are a fence
thrown around the pit of destruction, to prevent
rash men from rushing into ruin. What was the
incarnation of the Savior but the richest illustration
of His love? What were the miracles of Christ
but the condescensions of His love? What were
the prayers of Christ but the pleadings of His love ?
What were the tears of Christ but the dew-drops of
His love ? What is this earth but the theater for a
display of His love ? What is heaven but the Alps
of His mercy, from whose summits His blessings,
flowing down in a thousand streams, descend to
water and refresh His Church, situated at its base ?
Stop a moment, and consider what the Spirit is
doing for your enlightenment to make you see the
depravity of your nature. Unnumbered influences
at work to lead you in a way you know not ! Pray-
400 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
ing friends are daily and nightly weeping at a mercy
seat, saying, "Spare, O Lord, O spare my son or
my daughter from going down to the pit ! "
And then think of what's only a little in advance
for you to meet — one of two vast considerations :
a heaven of light and uncreated glory, where
Beauty and Purity, Holiness, Goodness, in fact
everything to increase one's happiness with the good
of all ages ; and the consideration of being without
any interest in Jesus, without one assurance that
you have accepted the proffered pardon. You will
have to say, "I must be deprived of the associations
of all Christian friends, and never see the face of
the Crucified One."
3. The vast future in ^ which all your interests are
concealed. Eternity ! Eternity ! There your best
friends have taken up their abode. Perhaps your
dear old mother, or your father, has long been
employed with the sainted hosts of God's dear chil-
dren, and with celestial voice and fingers skilled in
divine art, has been swelling the song uninterrupted,
" Worthy is the Lamb that was slain for us."
Do you not desire to join in that song ? or do you still
choose to vacillate and hesitate and turn a deaf ear
SEKMONS. 401
to the Sweetest Charmer? Hear Him : "Unto you,
O men, I call ; and my voice is to the sons of man.
O ye simple, understand wisdom ; and ye fools, be
ye of an understanding heart."
Two inferences : —
(a) Is it not wisdom for you to be a Christian in
reality, at whatever cost ? Do you not feel that it
would be highest attainment of wisdom to be able to
say,
Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow thee.
Naked, poor, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shalt be."
(5) Do not be contented in being almost a Chris-
tian. Contentment while in this state is as fatal as
contentment in the most open and rebellious con-
dition. Contentment in any condition short of
personal union and fellowship with God through
Christ, is a trick of the devil. Contentment in
being almost a Christian is the stupor that leads to
eternal death. Arouse yourself from it. Shake off
the fatal spell, and not debar yourself from all that's
good in time and eternity.
402 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT,
THE DISPLEASURE OF GOD WITH THE INDOLENT.
" Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the
inhabitants thereof, because they came not up to the help of the Lord,
to the help of the Lord against the mighty."— Judges v : 23.
It is evident that Meroz was so situated that it
could have rendered important and essential aid to
the cause of Israel, in their conflict with the enemy,
if it had been so disposed. But Meroz, assuming
the same sentiment and position of very many of
the present time, thought it prudent to be neutral in
this conflict for right and for liberty. How many
there are who study the devil's dictionary to find
a comfortable definition of the word pimdence^ and
they and their friends laud them to the skies for
their wise forecast and "prudent" conduct, in not
being identified with the radical and revolutionary
Spirit that is stirring perhaps the entire nation to the
depths, in the interests of humanity and justice ! It
was so a few years since in the agitation against
American slavery for over forty years. The same
has been true in the temperance reform. Men and
ministers have stood and looked on with stoic indif-
SERMONS. 403
ference, while drunkards have been made by law,
and thousands have gone down to drunkards' graves
within their personal knowledge.
They see these friends and acquaintances go down
to a drunkard's undone eternity, and then with a
linen handkerchief they wipe their mouths with as
smooth grace as if they had been to a banquet. If
prompted to speak, it has been to say, "Well, these
hot-headed cold water men are responsible for this.
Moderation would have been far better. By their
hot haste they have driven men to sell it, and men
that love it will drink it, if they can get it." This
is morality with a vengeance, taking the side of
Belial against Christ and humanity. These are your
men who pride themselves on their great prudence ;
conservative souls that are not fit for the Kingdom
of heaven. Christ has no need of men who think
more of how to retreat than advance ; who wait to
see which way the wind blows before they start ;
who have no idea of standing for the right till the
right is popular. God wants revolutionists.
This ode of Deborah was chanted at the celebra-
tion of the victory, and while honorable mention
was made of such as had distinguished themselves
by deeds of valor, Meroz is referred to in terms of
404 FRbM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
execration, and burning, blistering reproach. There
is another day of celebration yet to come, and an
ode to be sung by far excelling all that was ever
heard on earth. The question is, What mention
shall be made of you in that last day ? Shall it be
"Curse ye me those that have stood neutral, while
virtue and sound religion and humanity have been
calling for help?" Or shall it be in approval, like
that of Deborah and Barak, and those with them
in the conflict ?
In this discourse we propose to notice :
I. The Conflict going on.
II. The Help Demanded.
III. The evident Results of the Conflict.
I. The Conflict now in Progress.
1. Error has waged a war against Truth, and has
aroused all her minions to overthrow it, by every
possible strategy known to a barbarous and savage
warfare. Its most common attacks, are to assume
the garb of Truth. But it is Truth perverted for the
sake of advantage. "For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness." (Romans, i. 18.)
A few specifications. "All men will be saved, no
SERMONS. 405
matter what their sins or character may be. Salva-
tion is sure." "Jesus was a good man, but not
divine, nor equal with God." Carnal will substi-
tuted for divine obedience and submission to the
Gospel of Christ ; human merit for Christ's suffering
and atonement. These all hold the Truth in
unrighteousness, and are the scouting parties sent
out by the devil to reconnoiter the outworks of
Zion's fortress, while Truth stands in her white uni-
form, bidding defiance to these sons of Belial, and
near by her, within bugle-sound, are encamped
these "wise," "discreet," cowardly, chicken-hearted
professed friends of both parties, with their field-
glasses taking observations. Many of them members
of the church, and at the last election voting for the
captain of this same squad to sell strychnine whisky,
or are renting some low dance-house, or gambling-
hell, or its twin sister, a gay shop where drunkards
are finished up in the latest style for perdition.
This is Meroz, that takes no part in the conflict now
going on against Zion. No marvel that God's angel
should say : "Curse ye Meroz."
2. The conflict is waged with superhuman effort
to make the avowed friends of Jesus subserve the
wicked purposes of the enemy.
406 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
The young convert of Christ is attacked in his
weakest point. With blandest smiles the enemy
says : "Let all your religious actions be with the
greatest moderation. Keep cool, quite cool, on all
matters of a spiritual nature. Join with the world
in its social recreations. Xo harm for a Christian
to play bilKards ; why, our minister keeps a bil-
liard table in his house, right adjoining the study;
and his wife said she would dance, if it were not
for the speech of some of the members of his
church who think it not right. Why, you look
fatigued ; won't you take a glass of wine ? — it will
not hurt you? Our minister drinks it at his table
every day. Oh, how I wish you could have been at
Mrs. Snodinglove's party, the other evening. We
had a very pleasant time indeed. You know she is
a member of our church, and she thinks it no harm
for Christians to go to the theatre or circus. She
is very fond of dancing too."
Thus, by the time this gabbling daughter of
Jezebel has finished her tittle-tattle to a convert
just espoused to Jesus, if he is not well on his
guard, ten chances to one if he is not taken captive
at the will of the devil, so that when sister Light-
minded has her "levee," he is there to subserve the
SERMONS. 407
cause and machinations of these enemies of God and
His anointed. Joined in affinity with the world,
his religion has become cool indeed. No more deep
solicitude for their young companions to come to
the cross. No more singing in the spirit, and with
the understanding :
" Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee ;
E'en though it be a cross
That raiseth me.
Still all my song ehall be,
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee."
" Ye did run well ; who did hinder you that ye
should not obey the truth?" (Gal. v. 7.)
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk ye in Him." (Col. ii. 6.)
Thus they have joined the neutrality party ; and
they too tliink our religious sentiments and convic-
tions should be expressed with great "coolness."
"Coolness" means coldness toward Christ when
rightly interpreted.
n. The help demanded in this crisis of the
conflict.
To help the Lord "against the mighty," is the
key note of the conflict.
408 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
1. The duty of the ministers of Jesus to expose
the falsehood and sophistry of every lying spirit.
Not only is it the duty of the servants of Christ to
defend the Truth and Zion in her possession of it,
but to carry the war into the enemy's camp, showing
no quarter to a rebellious foe. Throw everything
at the devil ; like Luther, throw your inkstand at
him, if you have nothing else ; or like Whitefield
at the Moorfields, preach Christ and Him crucified,
to the surging mob ; or like John Knox at Saint
Mary's, in the face of armed soldiers threatening
him, "stand up for Jesus," and proclaim "the
acceptable year of the Lord," and "the day of ven-
geance of our God." Christ, Paul, Peter, John the
Baptist, all set the ministers of after generations a
good example in this line of muiisterial duty. We
venture the assertion that full one-half of the
declension in our churches is caused by the cringing,
sycophantic, cowardly conduct of the professed
ambassadors of Christ, — mere men-pleasers ; God-
dishonoring representatives of the highest calling on
earth. "I use great plainness of speech."
If all the evangelical ministers professing the
doctrine of salvation by faith in Jesus, were to come
out in the spirit of the Gospel, and make an on-
SERMONS. 409
slaught on the powers of darkness, as they now
array themselves in the land, Romanism with all its
idol mummery and anti-Christ priestcraft, Universal-
ism, Unitarianism, and polished skepticism would all
evaporate like the rank vapors before the rising sun.
We have a few who have the moral courage to enter
the lists, and declare the whole counsel of God, to a
lost and depraved world of sinners. We have a
superabundance of lectures and essays and pretty
nonsensical gibberish, without point and effect upon
man's moral and religious being. Some think these
efforts have -warmth. But the vitality is only gal-
vanic, and the heat that of a corpse warmed by
lying in the sun. No vital connection with Christ
and the Spirit, and consequently no stir of the soul !
The demand is for God-fearing, Christ-loving, and
sinner-reclaiming, reformation preachers, of a free
and full Gospel, and that now come "to the help of
the Lord against the mighty."
2. The demand is also for all the people of God
to "come to the help of the Lord."
All, both male and female, can find something to
do, and that to good advantage, if they only had
the disposition. The women of our churches have
always been more efficient, according to their sphere,
410 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
than the men. Here, in this contest, "Jael, the wife
of Heber," struck the final blow :
"Then Jael, Heber's wife, took a nail of the tent,
and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly
unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and
fastened it into the ground : for he was fast asleep
and weary. So he died.
"And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael
came out to meet him, and said unto him. Come,
and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest.
And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay
dead, and the nail was in his temples.
"So God subdued on that day Jabin, the king of
Canaan, before the children of Israel.
"And the hand of the children of Israel pros-
pered, and prevailed against Jabin, the king of
Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin, king
of Canaan." (Judges iv. 21-24.)
We are glad to say here that the movement now
being made by the women of our churches is accom-
plishing much for missions abroad and at home. An
evangelical power is being felt that will save the
churches from the dead calm of a stupid formality.
Deborah was compelled to be in the vanguard,
taking the place of the man who should have been
SERMONS. 411
first. (See Judges iv. 4-9.) Let it be the prayer
of the church for the Lord to raise up Deborahs all
over the land. Let every man in Zion do something
to advance the cause of our common Christianity.
We need not wait for the colleges and theological
schools to send them out. K the laymen of the
churches would only take this thing in hand, under
the all-controlling influence of the Spirit of God,
our whole land would resound with the voice of
singing and victory, from Maine to California, from
Florida to the Canadas. We need Sunday school
men and women who have vim and religious
vivacity. We need more life and spiritual power
in our prayer and social meetings of the church.
Exhortation that is stirring in its appeals to the
impenitent, when do we hear? The world is God's
workshop, in which He demands help of every kind
to carry on the work of saving sinners, and to bring
this conflict to a successful close. We need another
Ehud in our camp. (See Judges iii. 14-22.)
" Soldiers of Christ, arise and gird your armor on,
Strong in the strength which God supplies
Through His eternal Son."
Xet US call your attention,
in. To the evident Kesults of this Contest.
412 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
1. It will lead each individual disciple of Jesus to
examine his motives for enlisting in this campaign
against sin. Quite a number have gone into the
conflict for the spoils, as their fruits do show —
loaves and fish followers of Christ ! They have
joined the church to be made comfortable and to be
pleased with the "brilliant discourses" of some
minister who has the reputation of being an eloquent
pulpit orator, who was never so vulgar as to
pronounce that awful category of words, "hell,"
"perdition," "damnation," "lost souls," "judgment
day," "day of wrath." (See Ezekiel xxxiii. 31, 32.)
"And they come unto Thee as the people cometh,
and they sit before Thee as my people, and they
hear Thy words, but they will not do them : for
with their mouth they show much love, but their
heart goeth after their covetousness.
**And, lo, Thou art unto them as a very lovely
song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play
well on an instrument: for they hear Thy words,
but they do them not."
This scene is acted over in our day, to all intents.
You take away this kind of bread and butter, these
sweet meals of human relish, and they will join a
club of infidels : from the simple fact that their
SEBMONS. 413
motives were not pure when they enlisted. But if
they joined the cause for the love of Christ, then
they will stand by in storm and sunshine, in battle
and in peace, in life and in death.
2. Another result will be that en*or will yield
to the truth when wielded in the name of Jehovah.
It is irresistible : "For the Word of God is quick,
and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and
is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the
heart." — (Heb. iv. 12.) I do not believe that one
instance can be found where a church or a minister
commenced under the guiding and controlling influ-
ences of the Truth as it is in Jesus, but sooner or
later was victorious over error, and made the
infidelity and skepticism of the place bite the dust,
and many of the strongest opposers come over to
the side of Truth, and say, in the deep simplicity
of their natures :
" I yield, I jrield;
I can hold out no longer."
3. It must result in uniting the people of God in
a permanent and healthy fellowship for each other.
414 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
Old jealousies and heart-burnings will cease and
give place to the song :
"From whence doth this union arise,
That hatred is conquered by love ?
It fastens our souls in such ties
As distance and time can't remove."
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity :
"/j5 is like the precious ointment upon the head,
that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard ;
that went down to the skirts of his garments ;
"As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that
descended upon the mountains of Zion : for there
the Lord commanded the blessing, even for life
evermore." (Psalm cxxxiii. 1-3.)
Pastor and people will not only work in harmony
together, but a growing respect for each other will
be manifested in their several spheres of labor. It
is only in this sense that a church is edified in the
Truth in the highest acceptation of that term,
"edified in love." Oh, blessed result to be the
people enjoying such a state !
Remarks. — 1. Brethren, are we identified in this
conflict, and doing good battle for the Master on
Zion's side? God has said : "Woe to them that are
SERMONS. 415
at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of
Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to
whom the house of Israel came !" (Amos vi. 1.)
2. The day of final celebration of all the victories
achieved for Christ is soon to come. What honor-
able mention shall be made of you and of me in that
day ? Shall it be like that of Deborah and Barak ?
or like that of Meroz, Jael and Sisera? God forbid
the latter !
3. Victory is sure to all those who enlist under
the Captain of our Salvation, and the triumph of
the saints is the defeat of the sinner. Our God has
said that no weapon formed against Zion shall
prosper. He is not wanting in means to carry on
the conflict. He can save hj many or by few :
"And Jonathan said to the young man that bare
his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the
garrison of these uncircumcised : it may be that the
Lord will work for us : for there is no restraint to
the Lord to save by many or by few.
"And his armour-bearer said unto him, Do all
that is in thy heart : turn thee ; behold, I am with
thee according to thy heart." (I Sam. xiv. 6.)
God will hasten the victory in His time. See
that ye be not found fighting against God and the
Truth. Amen.
416 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
A NIGHT WITH THE " RACKENSACKS " AND ''PUKES.
All Western people will understand what is meant
by the above names. But, for the instruction of
our friends in the East, we "rise to explain."
A Rackensack is a dweller in Arkansas, of the
loafer order ; and a Puke is a rough of Missouri, or
a "border ruffian."
I was called to visit the south-eastern portion of
Kansas, in connection with a young minister of our
denomination. As we proceeded on our journey,
towards evening we discovered that a storm was
rising in the north, and that it would overtake us
before we could cross Sugar Creek to a settlement,
where we expected to find entertainment for the
night among friends. So we were obliged to stop
at a place called the "Three Stone Houses," lying
between Fort Scott and Ottawa.
These three houses were rude structures of stone,
laid up without mortar or any visible design. One
was a barn, and one of the two houses proper was
417
unoccupied. The third was occupied by an old
woman and her son, the husband and father having
been killed in the border ruffian war of 1855-56.
We asked for entertainment, and the old lady told
us we could stay ; but as her son was not at home,
we would have to take care of our horses ourselves,
at least until her son came. He was expected soon,
if he was not delayed by the storm. We complied
with the conditions, and went in to wait for supper.
While she was making ready our coffee and bacon
and corn cake, she looked out of the window and
exclaimed :
"Good Lord, have mercy; there comes them
devils of Missouri and Arkansas. The Lord only
knows what I shall do if Davey don't come." I
inquired: "WTiy, what's the matter with them?
They won't hurt you, I think."
In they came , and addressed the old matron :
"Wall, old woman, have you got any whisky in
these diggins? If you have, draw et out quicker
than a badger can hunt his hole." The old lady
replied by saying : "We don't keep it for anybody.
Dave did have a little he got for snake bites ; but
I don't know where he keeps it, if he has got any."
At this one of the Pukes said: "Wall, he haint.
418 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
got any now — we sucked out the last of that air
stuff when we were here last week ;" and continued
by asking, "Where is your Davey?" "He has been
gone all day at Mapleton, and will be at home, if he
can get here, before the storm comes." "Wall,
there'll be a storm if he don't bring some of the
critter, for we want to liquidate as bad as ."
At which all set up a coarse and vulgar laugh.
A Rackensack bawled out, "Come, old gal, stir
your dancing pegs and get us something to eat, for
we are as hungry as five wolves, and can eat all
there is in this shanty as quick as lightning can
strike a dry cottonwood."
She replied : " I have no more coffee until Dave
gets here, as I have just made all I have for these
strangers, and a scant mite for them. I reckon it
will be mighty weak too, but it's all I had in the
house until Dave gets home. There, strangers, set
up and take such as it is." Poor coffee, rusty bacon,
and corn-cake baked on the stove, as griddle-cakes
are baked, only it was about an inch thick, browned
on both sides, and looked about as much like a
No. 7 griddle to a stove, as a cake.
As we sat down to the table, I said to ray young
Reverend companion : "Ask a blessing." He shook
"rackensaoks" and "pukes." 419
his head, and said : "I will join with you." So I
gave thanks in words something like the following :
"Ever blessed Father of all our mercies, sanctify
this sweet portion of Thy bounty, to our nourish-r
ment and comfort, and may we consider the heart
and hand that supply us, for Christ's sake, Amen."
And the old woman said : "Amen ; bless the Lord."
At that moment, a voice at the door called out :
"mam, come and take the things in quick." Dave
had come. Soon she returned with a paper of
coffee, a dozen of candles, and three boxes of
matches. As she laid them on the bed in the corner
of the room, one of the Pukes said: "Wall, hain't
Dave brought any whisky, old gal?" She answered :
"Not as I can see, if he has, it is in his saddle-bags."
Up jumped three of them and they went to the
stone shed to find Dave, or what they most desired,
the whisky. Soon the storm of wind and rain burst
upon the house with great fury and force, and in
came Dave and the hunters after whisky, in great
haste, but no whisky had come.
The old lady at once set herself to get supper for
her son and the roughs.
As we closed our frugal meal, the young Domine
said to me in a whisper: "Brother Stimson, I wish
we had gone on, I don't feel safe here. These are a
420 FKOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
bad set of roughs, and there is no knowing what
they may do before morning." I replied in a low
whisper: "Well, now hold up your head and stop
your looking so much like a coward. Be a man. It
will only make the matter worse if they see your
timidity."
I sat down by the stove and stirred the coffee for
the old woman, and then ground it for her and her
guests, while she baked the second installment of
corn-cake, and fried the second batch of bacon, fill-
ing the whole house with an odor similar to what I
have enjoyed in a soap-chandler's establishment, only
more so. As soon as I had finished my task in the
cooking department, I commenced singing a hymn
that my young friend could have joined in if he
would :
" Hark, my soul, it is the Lord,
'Tis the Savior, hear his Word ;
Jesus speaks, and speaks to thee :
Say, poor sinner, lovest thou me.'*
All was as still and quiet as a funeral, the moment
the singing commenced. When we came to the
third stanza :
" Can a woman's tender care
Cease towards the child she bare?
Yes, she may forgetful be;
Yet will I remember thee.*'
421
One large, brawny fellow took his coat-tail up
and wiped his eyes, turning his face away from the
light. By this time supper was ready, and they
gathered around the table to supply their needs.
They sat and ate their meal in quietness, speaking
in respectful terms to the old lady.
The storm had now so abated that my companion
and myself stepped out of the door, and going a
little way from the house, I said; "I shall call on
you to read the Bible, and I want you to read the
xviiith chapter of Luke, and then we will sing again
and have prayers. The old lady is a Christian, I am
quite confident, and one of these roughs has a tender
spot in his heart. So we went in again. I spoke to
the old lady : "Well, madam, shall we spend a little
time in devotion, before we lie down to rest? We
all need protection, and it is well for us to commit
ourselves to God as our Father and Protector."
"Oh yes, I reckon it would be so nice ; I have not
heard a man pray since my poor husband was shot
in 1856. We then had a man here to help bury him
out on the prairie, and he prayed."
"Was your husband shot, madam?" we asked.
**Yes, he was shot while we were milking our cows.
It was in the time of our troubles here on the bor-
422 FROM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
der. Dave was then a little boy, and we had a
pretty little girl, next younger than Dave, and she
never got over the fright of that awful time. If we
could a got back to Injiana, we should a gone, but
we had no money, and all our oxen had been stolen,
and here Dave and I have stayed ever since."
I called on the young brother, and we sang again,
and then I asked them all to kneel down with us
while I made supplication to the Almighty Father
for protecting care during the watches of the night.
There was no more loud talking or profanity there
that night. As we stepped out of the door while
the young man covered the floor with blankets for
our beds, I heard one of them say to his companion,
as they stood around in the dark : "Wall, Buck, I
should think that old 'feller was John Brown, if he
wan't hung by them Virginians." ffis friend replied :
" It may be him arter all. He was a slippery old
cuss, and it may be he gave them the dodge, or got
somebody hung in his place."
There was no more said about whisky, no more
swearing, no more impertinent talk to the old lady
of the house. All was as quiet as a first-class hotel,
except the loud snoring. At daylight my young
brother and myself started off on our journey again,
driving twelve miles before breakfast.
THE irishman's stoey. 423
THE IRISHIVIAN's MIRACLE OF THE LOAVES AND
FISHES.
An Irishman in his travels found a New Testa-
ment, and, having a moment's leisure, sat down and
read the Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes, after
which he went on his journey, and, meeting a coun-
tryman, said, " Pat, I have just read a curious book
to-day." <« An' pfat book have ye read, Mike?"
** Well, it's about the Lord Jesus, ye know ; it tells
all about the twelve Apostles, ye know, Pat. How,
wanst upon a time they were all out in the woods
together, and the Apostles got farefully hungry, ye
know: and the Lord Jesus took five hundred fishes
and seven thousand loaves of bread and blessed
them — an' the twelve Apostles ate them all up,
sure." **But Mike," said Pat, ** I don't see any
miracle." ' * Hunch me Honey, isn't it a miracle they
didn't all bust afther aitin so many ? "
The above stor}^ has served Father Stimson so
well on such a variety of occasions, it well deserves
a place among those in which he has been a personal
actor. The story itself, if not the application he
made of it, will be remembered a long time by
those who laughed over his inimitable telling of it
at the General Association, held at Topeka, Kansas,
October 1873.
CONCLUSION.
A PEKSONAL SKETCH, BY THE EDITOR.
Father Stimson is a character ; every man is not.
He isn't just like anybody else. When in his
presence, you are at once satisfied that he has opin-
ions. When you have heard him talk, either in
conversation or public discourse, you are more
convinced that his ideas are his own, and that he
would sacrifice everything rather than yield them.
He is not obstinate. Mere human opinions on
which men have a right to differ, he is as ready to
change or give up as any man need to be. Reli-
gious principles he holds as inviolably sacred. No
one who has ever heard him preach, can forget the
solemnity with which he speaks of these. Eather
than yield one of them, he would sufier the loss of
all things. Bred according to the Scotch-Irish
Presbyterian rule, and educated in the high school
of Baptist faith and practice, it is not to be won-
dered at that he has the grit of a reformer. He has
preached the gospel the Master has bidden him,
asking no questions, and neither daring nor wishing
to make the least modification. He couldn't have
been anything else but a Baptist. His impatience of
human authority in matters of conscience, his radical
nature, his disregard of what is simply time-honored,
his scorn of the double-edged weapons of ridicule
and custom, his loyalty to the truth, and his supreme
love of his Divine Master, have qualified him for
the enjoyment of the fellowship and service of the
church for a place in which he made such a struggle
in early life. Certainly in these qualities he is a
representative Baptist.
PERSONAL SKETCH. 425
If Father Stimsox should find a weak Baptist
church in a place, with little or no "social standing,"
he would go to work at once Xp make it stronger.
He would do the same thing if he were not a min-
ister. If there were no church in the place, he
would set himself to the delightful task of prepar-
ing a people, by Divine help, for church fellowship.
All must respect the man who, without the
advantages of an education, rises superior to the
majority — the great majority — of those who are
educated. College-bred men often leave school so
conscious of theii- advantages over uneducated men
as to make no habitual efforts afterwards to main-
tain their advantages. Those not so favored in
youth, often go through life with the spur of con-
scious disadvantage. By this they are stimulated to
great and constant effort for self improvement, and
soon outstrip those who were far in advance to begin
with — hare and tortoise. Father Stimson has accom-
plished more in the world for God an(J humanity
than is the average work of a College and Seminary
educated minister.
Two or three of the natural qualities that have
helped him in his otherwise unassisted work deserve
special mention. First, his memory. This is
remarkable. It's not a memory for one class of
subjects alone, but for facts and principles, dates,
names and words, and for one as much as for
another. Memory is as distinguishing a faculty as
man possesses. It gives a man more aid in public
life than any other faculty, unless it be the gift of
superior speech. It has helped him more than any
one knows, except himself, in all his public work.
It has given him a great conunand of Scripture and
426 FEOM THE STAGE COACH TO THE PULPIT.
hymn quotations in the pulpit and prayer-meeting.
It has given him^ the apt story in public addresses
and private conversation. It has given him great
advantage in argument, supplying him with the
needed quotations from authors. It has been abso-
lutely indispensable in the preparation of this
auto-biography. With the previously -prepared
manuscript all lost in Chicago, he had to begin
again, and after two years had passed. The facil-
ity with which he remembered dates and facts and
names and conversations, and dashed them down
with his pencil, is known to at least one other
person. I shall always have one proof that I am
hot lazy in the speed with which my pen followed
his pencil.
His tact in reply to grave argument or witty
personal assault, is another trait of mind that will
be remembered as long as he is remembered. An
Irishman by parentage, he is never wanting in quick
repartee and apt anecdote most forcibly told. He
has an almost exhaustless fund .of humor and anec-
dote. If argument would not serve his puipose
when attacked or making a point, some quaint
saying of somebody's or some resistless story would
always come in at the right moment, and he would
carry off the laurels. He is the soul of any company
in which he feels at home. As to others, his wit
makes them feel at home. No sketch of him would
have been complete without a chapter of stories and
jokes.
He is a man of large practical common sense.
He despises shams. He sees the best way out of a
tight place as soon as he is in it. His advice to
people similarly situated is of great value. His
:^
PERSONAL SKETCH. 427
common sense doesn't desert him when he comes to
matters of religion. He reasons upon Christianity
as he would on any subject requiring the use of
reason, but never without making the broad distinc-
tion that exists between it and all other forms of
religion.
He has a fair share of originality of thought and
expression. His imagination, too, is more than
ordinary. The happy combination of these qualities
and others, and the conscientious use of them through
public life, have made him a power in the denom-
ination.
He belongs to a race of men that is rapidly passing
away. The places that now know them will soon
know them no more. The need of pioneer men —
especially of the angular, eccentric, original, self-
made stamp to which he belongs — is fast ceasing to
exist. They have nobly done a great work, a work
smoother men could not have done. Peace to
their ashes. Peaceful years to those who remain
among us.
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